Coppen red card ends Red Star revival

Seaham Red Star almost completed a remarkable comeback to secure a point at Shildon.

Mark Collingwood’s side were three goals down at half-time as a Nathan Steel brace and a strike from Ben Trotter put the Railwaymen in complete control of the game.

The Red Star manager made three changes just before the break and that seemed to inspire his side as they mounted a spirited fightback.

Curtis Coppen reduced the arrears with his first goal for the club on 58 minutes and Paul Gardiner got Red Star to within one goal of claiming a point when he found the net just after the hour-mark.

But Coppen was sent off for a second bookable offence on 71 minutes and that helped Shildon see out the game to claim a narrow win.

Ryhope CW did claim a point after coming from behind against Hebburn Town.

Goals from Luke Sullivan and Paul Chow looked to have put the Hornets on their way to a straightforward win.

But two goals inside a minute from Michael Rae and Joe Melvin ensured that the spoils were shared.

LeadersConsettslipped to third after their six-goal thriller against a rapidly improving Whitley Bay side. The two sides were level at half-time after Consett striker Michael Sweet cancelled out an early opener from Bay full-back Craig McFarlane.

Goals from Steelmen duo Luke Carr and Daniel Craggs sandwiched a strike from Olly Martin to put their side in sight of another three points.

But a fine long-range effort from Bay captain Peter Glen-Ravenhill ensured that his side claimed a point from their trip to Belle View.

Dunston UTS took over at the top of the table after a Mark Fitzpatrick hat-trick helped them to a 5-2 win at Newton Aycliffe.

Bishop Auckland moved up to second with a 3-1 home win against Newcastle Benfield, with goals from Kieran Galbraith, Kyle Fryatt and Andrew Johnson.