NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

BILLINGHAM Town took advantage of slip-ups elsewhere to move back to the top of the Division Two table.

A first-half goal from Chris Wallace helped Town bring an end to

Brandon United’s outstanding run of form and there was a double reward as two fellow promotion challengers dropped points.

Boro Rangers were reliant on a last-minute equaliser as they scrapped to a 3-3 draw at Jarrow.

Abu Salim grabbed his first Jarrow goal and a Liam Mulvain double looked to have put the hosts on their way to a much needed win.

But a Graeme Pickering own-goal and a Stuart Rose strike meant their visitors were never out of the contest and they secured a point thanks to a late goal from Callum Hickman.

Remarkably, fellow promotion rivals Bedlington Terriers also claimed a point with a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw as they shared the spoils with Billingham Synthonia.

Joe Thompson put the Terriers in front on four minutes but two Ash Lavan goals put Synners back in control by the time the hour-mark passed.

Matthew Hayton got Terriers back level on 78 minutes but Synners looked to have secured the points when Ryan Gooch restored their lead moments later. However, the visitors would not be denied and Hayton’s fired his second of the day to earn a point in the fourth minute of injury time.

Birtley Town wasted a three-goal lead and an opportunity to close the gap on the leaders in their 3-3 home draw with Esh Winning.

Two goals from Aidan Rutledge and a Tom Mcintyre strike looked to have put the Hoops well on their way to a comprehensive win – but a Vinny Gash brace and a Jonathan Swift effort earned a point for their visitors.

Levi Collins was in fine form once again as he netted twice in Boldon CA’S 3-1 win at Redcar Town.

Chris Tarn was also on target to help David Crumbie’s men take the honours as Clark Reader netted a late consolation for Town.

Trae Rowlandson and Will Morris netted as Prudhoe YC extended Willington’s poor start to the season with a 2-0 win over the Hall Lane side.

Chester-le-street United and Newcastle University shared the points as a second-half penalty from Benjamin Shodeinde was cancelled out by visitors forward Tom Romano.

Washington were 1-0 winners in their home game with Chester-lestreet Town thanks to an early strike from Lucas Gamblin and Kevin Westphal and Ben Fell scored in Blyth Town’s 2-0 win against Horden CW.