NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
FITZPATRICK BRACE BOOST TITLE HOPES Late win puts Billingham back on top
There were two quickfire chances for the Robins as both Gary Day and Jordan Summerly hit the woodwork within seconds of each other.
That double let-off seemed to spark the visitors back into life and they hit the woodwork themselves moments later when Brooks saw his powerful header come back off the home crossbar.
They continued to put the Robins under pressure as they looked for a killer second goal. Nellis went close again and a lastditch challenge from Jack Donnison denied Fitzpatrick as they game headed towards the closing stages. If there were nerves, Swailes and his side weren’t showing them. Fitzpatrick – ever the dangerman – was to have the final say. With less than 60 seconds left on the clock, the former Whickham striker was upended in the Robins area. He stepped up to take the resultant penalty, and predictably made no mistake with a calm finish beyond Robinson.
It had been a hard-earned three points for Dunston and they received a further boost in the dressing room.
Title rivals Bishop Auckland and Consett had been beaten by Stockton Town and Sunderland RCA respectively, meaning Dunston’s lead is now at 12 points.
Surely, the ifs are gone, and it’s now a case of when will Chris Swailes’ side and his side get their hands on the trophy.
North Shields: Robinson, Donnison, Summerly, Ormston, Nearney (Cooper), Hughes, Cunningham (Mcroberts), Spooner, Day, Bainbridge, Robinson (Johnston) Subs: Purvis, Mcdonald Dunston UTS: Dryden, Marrs, Halliday, Haley, Grant-soulsby, Capewell, C Elliott, Pearson, Fitzpatrick, Nellis, Brooks Subs: Scott, Harrison, Jackson, J Elliott
Surely, the ifs are gone, and it’s now a case of when will Chris Swailes’ side and his side get their hands on the trophy
BILLINGHAM Town moved back to the top of the Division Two table with a late win over Crook Town at Bedford Terrace.
Town took full advantage of the postponement of Thornaby’s game at Tow Law Town as Ash Lavan’s late strike gave them all three points with a 1-0 win.
Chester-le-street Town remain in fourth place in the table despite behind held to a 3-3 home draw by Easington Colliery.
The visitors came from two goals down ahead of half-time as quickfire strikes from Rhys Turnbull and Andrew Clarkson were cancelled out by recent Colliers signings Niall Mcgoldrick and Josh Home-jackson.
Clarkson restored the Cestrians lead early in the second half.
But the spoils were shared as Liam Adamson snatched a point for his side 11 minutes from time.
A pair of goals from Thibault Charmey inspired fifth-placed Heaton Stannington to a 3-1 win at West Allotment Celtic.
Dean Walker put West Allotment Celtic a goal up at half time, but Charmey’s second-half brace and a Josh Miller penalty gave the Stan all three points at Druid Park.
Jarrow FC eased to their first victory in four games as they saw off struggling Brandon United 4-0 at Perth Green.
Jonathan Wightman, David Smith and Jonathan Hirst were all on target for the South Tyneside outfit and a James Connor own-goal summed up a miserable day for their visitors.
Goals from Jordan Stephens and Nick Marley looked to have put Esh Winning on their way to a 2-0 win at Redcar Athletic.
But two second-half injury-time strikes from Lance Skelton and Adam Preston ensured a grandstand finish and secured a dramatic point for the hosts.