STEP 5 ROUND-UPS

NORTHERN LEAGUE

LEADERS North Shields suffered a rare defeat as they lost 2-0 at reigning-champions Shildon, playing the second half with ten men.

The Robins trailed to Matty Robson’s 45th-minute penalty, before Michael McKeown was sent off and then Adam Burnicle netted a late second.

Title rivals and FA Vase finalists South Shields prevailed 2-1 at Ryhope CW – Andrew Stephenson with a 71st-minute winner.

Whitley Bay had goalkeeper Thomas Flynn sent off on 41 minutes but won 1-0 at Dunston UTS – Alex Kempster with the goal.

Mark Davison scored two in Morpeth Town’s 4-1 win at Washington, while West Auckland Town were 2-1 winners over Chester-le-Street.

James Cassidy and Colin Larkin were on target in Sunderland RCA’s 2-0 win at Seaham Red Star.

Marske United beat Newcastle Benfield 4-1 as Danny Earl hit a brace and Paul Brayson bagged Benfield’s consolation.

Ashington lost 2-1 at home to Newton Aycliffe – Jamie Owens’ two goals overhauling Ryan McGorrigan’s goal for the Colliers.

Guisborough Town boosted survival hopes with a 3-1 win over Penrith and James Fairley scored twice in Bishop Auckland’s 2-2 draw with Jarrow Roofing. JEFF BOWRON

NORTH WEST COUNTIES

ATHERTON COLLIERIES remain two points clear at the top after coming from behind to beat Ashton Athletic 3-1, thanks to goals from Ben Hardcastle, Jordan Cover and Gareth Peet.

Runcorn Linnets are their closest challengers after they won the secondagainst-third clash with Bootle – late goals from Michael Simpson and Daniel McKenna giving them a 2-1 win and a four-point gap.

At the bottom, Cammell Laird’s relegation was confirmed on Friday night when AFC Darwen won 2-0 at AFC Liverpool. Darwen are 13 points clear of Nelson, who lost 2-1 at Hanley Town.

New Mills also remain deep in trouble a point further back after they were crushed 5-0 at fourth-placed Runcorn Town, for whom Mark Reed hit a hattrick along with further strikes from Craig Jones and Simon Thelwell.

There was also a hat-trick for Kyle Riley as Winsford United were 4-2 winners overs Squires Gate – Riley’s treble coming after Nathan Cotterell’s opener.

Carlos Mendes Gomes scored the only goal of the game as West Didsbury & Chorlton beat Abbey Hey 1-0 and Irlam edged past Maine Road by the same scoreline thanks to Sean Sherwood’s late strike.

Barnoldswick Town and Congleton Town shared six goals in a 3-3 thriller, Barnoldswick leading 2-0 and then 3-1, before Congleton fought back, while 1874 Northwich beat Padiham 3-1.

CIARAN THOMAS

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST

CLEETHORPES TOWN moved two points clear at the top as they beat Handsworth Parramore 2-0 and Pickering Town were held to a 2-2 draw at bottom-placed Retford United.

Brody Robertson’s first-half goal gave Cleethorpes the lead – Andy Taylor adding a second after the break.

It was a frustrating day for Pickering, however, as Retford saw the gap to safety increase to seven points after results elsewhere.

Third-placed Bridlington were also held as their game at Maltby Main finished goalless, while Dan Broadbent’s double saw Thackley in fourth ease past Armthorpe Welfare 4-0. 2-0 at home to – Tom Waudby and Eddie Rodgerson with the goals.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare hit Harrogate Railway Athletic for eight in an 8-1 win, despite Harrogate taking an early lead – Nash Connolly and Richard Collier with doubles as they struck six times in the second half.

Albion Sports were also among the goals as they won 4-1 at Bottesford Town while Athersley Recreation were also away winners, beating Garforth Town 3-1.

The day’s other game saw Worksop Town and Staveley Miners Welfare share the points in a 1-1 draw.

CIARAN THOMAS

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

RHYS THORPE hit four goals as Eynesbury Rovers reinforced the relegation prospects of visitors Harrowby United with a 12-0 drubbing.

Jordan Brown and Tom Coles scored hat-tricks and Hayden Bream and Allen Owen grabbed a goal each.

Peterborough Sports moved within inches of the championship with a 3-0 win at lowly Boston Town, with Avelino Vieira, Josh Moreman and Lewis Webb on target.

Two goals each from Scott Coupland and Tom Waumsley and one from Dan Schiavi saw second-placed Deeping Rangers hit five without reply past visitors Rothwell Corinthians.

Dom Lawless hit a hat-trick including a penalty as hosts Newport Pagnell Town crushed Leicester Nirvana 6-0, with Gary Brook, Elliot Sandy and Sam O’Neil also getting on the scoresheet.

Second-half goals from Sam Vince, Michael Frew and Liam Adams earned Wisbech Town a 3-0 win at Sleaford Town.

Jake Mason scored the only goal of the game as Peterborough Northern Star beat Northampton ON Chenecks, while Barry Deacon scored the winner for Wellingborough Town in their 1-0 home win over Desborough Town.

Skipper Luke Stone’s goal handed Cogenhoe United a 1-0 home victory over Kirby Muxloe and Oadby Town were held to a 3-3 draw by visitors Northampton Sileby Rangers.

ROBIN JONES

MIDLAND LEAGUE

ALVECHURCH maintained their nine-point cushion at the top with a 2-0 win at home to Coventry Sphinx.

But it was far from plain sailing for the title favourites who needed Paul Evans to pull off a string of saves to keep the visitors at bay.

Mark Smith handed Church the lead on the stroke of half-time and Connor Deards doubled the lead after the break.

Coleshill Town remain their nearest challengers after they eased to a 5-2 win at home to Walsall Wood.

Gio Dainty bagged a goal in each half with Dean Rathbone, Reece Leek and Mykel Beckley also on target for the home side.

Sam Beasley rounded things off for Stourport Swifts in their 3-1 win over third-placed Lye Town, who also had Ben Billingham sent off midway through the second half.

Coventry United and Sporting Khalsa shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Sphinx Drive and it finished 0-0 at Highgate United, where Loughborough University were the visitors.

Two Joe Smith goals helped Boldmere St Michaels to a 3-0 victory over Tividale and Rocester won 2-1 at Westfields – Seb Szondi with the winner.

Long Eaton United came from behind to beat Brocton 3-2, it was the same score as Shepshed Dynamo overcame Heanor Town, Michael Reeve scoring twice for the hosts, and Quorn edged out Shawbury United by a solitary goal.

DAVID LAWRENCE

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

BARKING will have to wait a little longer to clinch the title despite a 2-0 win at home to Eton Manor.

They need just three points from their last five games as Joe Pearman bagged a second half double.

Clapton are mathematically still in the race but their game at Sawbridgeworth Town was abandoned in added time because of a spectator incident. They were leading 1-0 through a Johnny Ashman penalty after 75 minutes.

The only other team that can catch Barking, FC Romania, had no game.

The day’s big winners were Enfield 1893, who form team Ilford 4-1. Shane Crew, Khadean Campbell, Miguel de Matos and Joel Davies were on target.

Southend Manor edged out Tower Hamlets 3-2, thanks to Samuel Burton and two-goal Daniel Okah, while Saito Djop netted twice in reply for Hamlets.

Charlie Cole’s effort and an Antony Murray Bruce own goal handed Takeley a 2-0 win at Sporting Bengal United.

Haringey & Waltham have joined Burnham Ramblers on 20 points at the foot of the table after they drew 1-1 at Barkingside. Jason Fontein gave Side the lead before Glenn Tonga levelled.

Ramblers lost 2-1 at home to Wadham Lodge, but their goal difference remains 17 better and they have four games in hand.

Basildon United were 3-1 winners over Redbridge in a match between the two midtable sides.

DAVID BALLHEIMER

EASTERN COUNTIES

MILDENHALL TOWN moved 12 points clear at the top after a 2-1 win at Kirkley & Pakefield.

The league leaders fought back from a goal down as Arran Mackay and Steve Spriggs both scored to hand their side a vital three points.

Second-placed Felixstowe & Walton United lost further ground as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Saffron Walden Town. Harry O’Malley and Malaki Toussaint were both on target for the hosts.

Gorleston climbed to third but saw their own title hopes suffer a big blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Stanway Rovers.

Aaron Taylor put the hosts ahead but an 86th-minute leveller rescued a draw for Stanway.

Hadleigh United are still just three points above the drop zone after losing 3-0 at home to Brantham Athletic.

Fifth-placed Thetford Town were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Ely City and there was a 2-1 away win for Walshamle-Willows against Long Melford.

A Mitch Forbes penalty was enough to see seventh-placed Great Yarmouth Town run out 1-0 winners at home to Godmanchester Rovers.

On Friday, bottom side Swaffham Town beat Fakenham Town 2-1 and struggling Wivenhoe Town were involved in a goalless draw away to Haverhill Rovers. RORY HAYWARD

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS

LONDON COLNEY are now just three wins away from securing the title after they scored twice late on to defeat visitors London Tigers 2-0.

Jon Clements’ header broke the deadlock in the 88th minute before Dave Parkinson converted Ashley Morrissey’s through ball in injury time.

Hertford Town stay second as Tommy Wade’s penalty, The Blues’ 100th goal this season, earned a 1-1 draw at home to Holmer Green.

Two of the league’s in-form teams met at Berkhamsted, where the hosts beat third-placed Cockfosters 3-1.

Matt Bateman was the star of the show, scoring all three of The Comrades’ goals, with Ben Andreos replying for Cockfosters.

There were plenty of missed penalties this weekend too. Chris Stapleton of Tring Athletic missed before going on