Dunston in clear after rivals lose
DUNSTON UTS took a giant step towards clinching the Division One title against West Auckland Town.
Mark Fitzpatrick scored the only goal at the UTS Stadium.
Fellow title contenders Bishop Auckland and Consett were both beaten as Dunston moved 10 points clear at the top of the table.
Striker Martyn Coleman scored a hat-trick as basement club Penrith claimed a shock 5-3 win at Bishop Auckland. Shildon eased to a 3-0 home win against Consett.
Hebburn Town moved up to fourth with thrilling win over Sunderland RCA. Graeme Armstrong and Lewis Suddick put the Hornets in control.
RCA captain Greg Swansbury halved the deficit with a header on 63 minutes, but a stunning Michael Richardson free-kick restored Town’s two-goal advantage.
Tom McAloon pulled a goal back for the visitors on 87 minutes.
Newcastle Benfield won 2-1 against Guisborough Town. Town striker Danny Earl cancelled out an own-goal from team-mate Matthew Lovatt. But Benfield secured a third consecutive win thanks to a lastgasp winner from Paul Brayson.
Michael Chilton’s brace saw Seaham Red Star beat North Shields.
Ashington claimed a point at Newton Aycliffe after an early goal from Colliers captain Wayne Buchanan was cancelled out by Ben Wood’s equaliser.
Goals from Jack Bailey and Kurtis Howes helped Thornaby move to the top Division Two with a 2-1 home win against previous leaders Billingham Town.
Northallerton Town are third after an Aaron Ramsbottom strike and an own-goal gave them a 2-1 win at Easington Colliery.
Heaton Stannington and Chesterle-Street Town drew 0-0.
Matthew Hayton’s injury-time penalty snatched a point for West Allotment Celtic and Daniel Hill’s second-half equaliser earned Birtley Town a point at Brandon United.
Scott Jasper scored twice in Ryton and Crawcrook Albion’s 3-1 win against Jarrow FC and Dan Kirkup, Matty Pennal and Dale Milburn scored in Tow Law Town’s comprehensive 3-0 win against basement club Durham City.
Billingham Synthonia strolled to all three points at Washington as goals from Connor Smith, Tom Bligh and Louis Johnson earned Jamie Pollock’s side a 3-1 win at Nissan Sports Complex.