Derby success for Shields and promotion

SOUTH Shields will be playing in the Evo-Stik First Division North next season after a narrow 1-0 win at derby rivals North Shields.

They also now head the Ebac Northern League Division One on goal difference - still with two games in hand.

The all-important goal came in the 23rd minute when David Foley found the net, beating goalkeeper Kyle Hayes.

Former Sunderland schemer Julio Arca (pictured) was sent off for a second yellow shortly after half-time and North Shields gained momentum from this.

However. South Shields deservedly held on for the win.

Morpeth Town triumphed 3-1 at Seaham Red Star, who took the lead through Robbie Bird after 14 minutes.

Two goals from Keith Graydon and a Ben Sayer strike sealed Town’s victory.

Newcastle Benfield lost 5-3 at Consett, Newcastle’s John Campbell scoring in the ninth minute but Danny Craggs equalising after 23 minutes.

Benfield went in front again a minute later when Paul Brayson’s header found the net - only for Michael Sweet to equalise after 27minutes.

Benfield took the lead for the third time on 56 minutes, Joshua Scott firing home, but two counters in two minutes from Mark Turnbull and Sweet gave Consett a 4-3 lead.

Matty Slocombe then made it 5-3 late on.

Whitley Bay beat West Auckland Town 4-0 courtesy of a Kyle Patton second-half hat-trick.

Peter Glen-Ravenhill added the fourth with a simple tap-in.

Washington remain fourth from bottom and claimed three crucial relegation points with a 4-2 result at Ashington.

Robbie Williamson put them ahead on 25 minutes and eight minutes later Rhys Evans made it 2-0.

On 44 minutes, Evans scored his second and when Jake Pickard was brought down in the box Matthew Waters converted the penalty for 4-0.

Ashington pulled goals back through Ryan McGorrigan and Ben Harmison - but Washington held out for three vital points, particularly as Guisborough Town won 1-0 at West Allotment Celtic.