Town go 10 points clear at top after tight finish

BILLINGHAM Town are Division Two’s Christmas number one after they edged a close encounter at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

Two penalties from Craig Hutchinson put Town on their way to all three points, and they held on for all three despite Scott Jasper halving the deficit in injury time.

The win leaves Town ten points clear of second-placed Northallerton Town.

The North Yorkshire outfit were comfortable winners at Esh Winning as goals from Aaron Ramsbottom, Andrew Shepherd and Damon Reaks took them to a 3-0 win.

Chester-le-street Town remain in fourth after they won by the odd goal in five at Bedlington Terriers.

Kieran Megran put the Cestrians ahead at half-time, but they were pegged back by an equaliser from Brad Higgins.

Alex Walker and Jack Oliver took the visitors out of sight and they claimed another win, despite Ronnie Jones pulling one back for the Terriers in second-half stoppage-time.

Dean Thexton and Matty Moffat both scored twice in Willington’s 5-1 win over basement club Durham City.

Michael Brown was also on the scoresheet for Willington as they condemned their tenants to a heavy defeat at Hall Lane.

Brandon United’s struggles continued as they were beaten at home by West Allotment Celtic.

Shane Donaghey, Tony Lucas and Michael Baxter were amongst the goals for the visitors as they secured a 3-1 win at the Welfare Ground.

Two Adam Preston goals and a late strike from Gary Redman helped Redcar Athletic to a 3-1 home win against Easington Colliery and Joe Barick hit a brace as Birtley Town won by the same scoreline against Heaton Stannington.

James Davidson also scored for the Hoops as they claimed their first league win since late September.

Goals from Lewis Robson and Alex Ramshaw looked to have put Washington on their way to a comfortable home win against Tow Law Town.

But two goals apiece from Dale Milburn and Callum Hassan ensured that the Lawyers claimed maximum points from their trip to Nissan Sports Complex.