Darlington too good for Star

SEAHAM Red Star are fifth in Division Two, despite losing at Darlington RA who have moved into sixth place.

Jimmy Muir ( pen) and Stephen Butterworth won the day for the Railwaymen with Chris McCabe heading in Red Star’s equaliser.

Washington moved three points clear of the relegation places with victory over Brandon United in a seven- goal thriller.

James Fairley ( 2), Paul Wardle and Peter Kane were on target with Wardle ( og) and Kevin Hamilton ( 2) replying for the visitors.

Leaders Heaton Stannington’s groundhopper fixture with Birtley Town, which kicked off at 10.30am, was watched by 412 spectators, 330 more than were present for the Stann’s previous game.

Jonathan Wright ( 2) and Phil Smith led the Tynesiders to victory and they are now three points ahead of Northallerton Town who surprisingly went down at Stokesley SC.

Gerard Richardson struck twice for the home side with Christian Holliday’s goal keeping the promotion challengers in the hunt, but Stokesley held on for an unexpected success.

Whitley Park was the venue for the ground- hoppers’ fourth game and the topfour clash between West Allotment Celtic and North Shields, which attracted a crowd of 429, ended goalless.

South Shields also won by a 4- 3 margin, defeating Tow Law Town at Peterlee. Luke Richardson ( 2), Adam Burnicle and Luke Olabode netted for the Mariners with Jason Brazauskas, Lewis Hanson and Robert Hurton replying.

Marske United, the League’s last hope in the FA Cup, crashed out to Conference side Southport, who had the tie won with four goals in the opening 12 minutes.

They went on to notch six and Marske managed two in reply from Glen Butterworth and Lewis Tidy.

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