Late equaliser ends Shields’ winning run

SOUTH Shields’ 32-game winning run came to an end, when they were just 60 seconds away from winning the title, as they were denied by a dramatic last-minute goal from Morpeth Town at Mariners Park.

South Shields took a thirdminute lead, when Carl Finnigan headed home past goalkeeper Karl Dryden.

With Morpeth Town the only team able to mathematically take the title from the Mariners, they equalised in the 90th minute through Marc Davison.

Dunston UTS lost 2-1 at Chesterle-Street, but did take the lead after 31 minutes, when Dan Capewell headed the ball home. In the 41st minute, the Cestrians equalised, when Alex White’s direct free kick found the net.

In the second half, goalkeeper Jack Wilson saved a penalty and with four minutes remaining Kieran Megran scored the winner.

Newcastle Benfield went down 1-0 at home to West Auckland, which keeps their survival hopes alive. They went ahead in the 16th minute, when Kerry Hedley squared the ball to Zak Boagey and from 20 yards, he chipped the ball home, for the all-important winner.

Ashington drew 1-1 at Marske United and took the lead in the 7th minute, when Ben Harmison headed from home a corner. United equalised in the 53rd minute, when Peter Bulmer rifled the ball home from 15 yards out.

In Division Two, Stockton Town were crowned champions, after their 2-1 win at Team Northumbria and took the lead on 21 minutes when Max Craggs scored the opener. Andrei Ardelean equalised in the 70th minute, but just seven minutes later Adam Nicholson headed home the winner.

Bedlington Terriers drew 4-4 at home to Crook Town. Two goals from Lee Scott and strikes from Sam Norris and Chris Armstrong gave the Terriers a 4-2 lead, but with Christian Holliday bagging two goals and Callum Johnson and Callum Pigg adding further goals, the comeback was complete.

Alnwick Town beat Thornaby by 1-0, with the crucial goal coming in the 75th minute from Sammy Perez.

Whickham and Northallerton Town played out a 1-1 draw while Ryton & Crawcrook Albion recorded their sixth win of the season with a 1-0 win at Hebburn Town.

Heaton Stannington won 2-1 away at Blyth Town.