Not a rocking night for Robins as they stay fifth after home draw

NORTH Shields stayed in fifth place in Northern League Division One after they could only take a point from their home game against Newton Aycliffe, writes MARK CARRUTHERS.

Kurt Matthews put Aycliffe ahead on 25 minutes but their lead lasted only a minute thanks to Craig McFarlane’s equaliser.

Marc Costello restored the visitors’ lead but they had to settle for a point after Robins striker Ben Harmison rounded off a fine team move.

Marc Nash’s side were joined on 58 points by Shildon after the Railwaymen secured a narrow 2-1 home win over Whitley Bay.

Division Two basement club Alnwick Town made it two wins in a row after their 2-0 win at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

Joe Walton scored twice to help Morpeth Town see off Willington in their League Cup third round tie. Wayne Phillips and Mark Davison were also on target in a 4-1 win as the Highwaymen set up a quarter-final home tie against Stockton Town.

Chester-le-Street Town moved into the semi-finals of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup as they avenged their recent league defeat at West Allotment Celtic.

All of the goals came in the firsthalf as Daniel McGuire, Kieran Megran and Alex White helped the Cestrians to a 3-0 win at Druid Park.