Moor not the merrier after Chorley loss

SPENNYMOOR Town’s National League North play-off hopes took a further hit after their 3-1 defeat at Chorley.

The Moors were looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat at Salford City but a firsthalf brace from Marcus Carver put the hosts in complete control.

An Andy Teague halved the deficit on the hour mark, but the Moors couldn’t find an equaliser and Josh O’Keefe’s late goal ensured that they left Victory Park empty-handed.

South Shields lost for only the third time in the Evo-Stik North this season after they were beaten by the odd goal in five at promotion rivals Bamber Bridge.

Jon Shaw and Robert Briggs were on the scoresheet for the Mariners but they fell to a defeat after Kieron Charnock’s secured the points for the hosts on 81 minutes.

Newcastle Benfield moved into the semi-final of the Northern League Cup with a dramatic 2-1 win over Ryhope CW.

Benfield fell behind to a Joe Melvin goal five minutes before half-time but turned the game on its head after the interval.

Substitute Jack Devlin got them back on level-terms on 66 minutes and the ever-prolific Paul Brayson fired them into the semi-finals with a last-minute goal.

They’ll be joined in the last four by Dunston UTS after they secured a comfortable 3-0 win at Seaham Red Star. All of the goals came in the first-half as Mark Fitzpatrick, Liam Thear and Michael Pearson were on target.

Ashington moved into the top of eight of the Northern League Division One table thanks to their 3-1 home win against Sunderland RCA.

Brandon United failed to move out of the bottom three in Division Two despite securing a draw at Durham City.

United took a shock early lead thanks to Craig Hindmarsh’s strike but had to settle for a point after Callum Smith equalised on 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, Blyth Spartans striker Dan Maguire and Spennymoor Town midfielder Rob Ramshaw made their England ‘C’ debuts in the 3-2 win over Wales ‘C’.

Maguire had a hand in two of the England goals as Dagenham and Redbridge forward Fejiri Okenabirhie hit a hat-trick in a win for the Three Lions.