Spennymoor's hopes of winning promotion from the UniBond League First Division were dealt a blow when they lost 3-2 at neighbours Bishop Auckland in a bad- tempered game at Dean Street.

Spennymoor had the better of the opening stages, but Bishops took the lead after 13 minutes when Sean Hope sidefooted home from a corner.

Moors equalised before half-time when Jason Ainsley was pulled down in the box, and Steve Preen scored from the spot.

Moors looked as if they were on their way to victory on the hour when Preen nodded the ball down for Danny Brunskill to sweep home, and he nearly added a third, but his header from an Ainsley free-kick came back off the bar.

Bishops levelled after 75 minutes when Neil Maddison broke clear and beat Martin Kearney with a right-foot shot, and seven minutes later he forced home an inswinging free-kick from Stuart Irvine.

Moors dropped to third place, because Radcliffe Borough won at Rossendale, so Moors now need to win their last two games at Stocksbridge on Thursday and at home to Witton on Saturday to make sure of promotion.

In the UniBond Premier Division, Gateshead's 3-2 defeat at Blyth means that they are in the play-offs.

A superb individual goal by striker Chris I'Anson earned Horden the Durham Challenge Cup in a shock victory over Billingham Synthonia.

ANL Second Division Horden deserved their win against their first division opponents, who had plenty of possession but created few chances. Synners' best chance was after 14 minutes when Chris Fawcett headed David Wells' corner powerfully towards goal, but keeper Steve Tierney reacted well.

Horden responded with efforts by Gus DiLella and John Outhwaite and took the lead three minutes before half-time.

I'Anson picked the ball up on the halfway line, dribbled past two defenders, and beat keeper John Mohun with a powerful left-foot shot into the roof of the net.

Synners again had plenty of possession in the second half, but never really looked like breaking Horden down, and the underdogs nearly added a second when Andy Davies' header beat Mohun, but was cleared off the line.

Horden boss Tommy Garside said: "The goal by Chris was worthy of winning any cup final. It is a tremendous result for the club." It was Horden's first major cup win for nearly two decades.

In the Albany Northern League, Peterlee's hopes of staying in the First Division suffered a blow when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Morpeth, which means that they are still four points adrift of fourth bottom Prudhoe.

Already relegated Newcastle Blue Star drew 0-0 with Dunston, while Darren Mowbray scored twice in Guisborough's 4-0 home win over Marske United.

Darlington RA lost 3-0 to North Shields in the final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup at Brinkburn Road.

Shields took the lead after 33 minutes when Anthony Robson volleyed home following a pass from Stephen Miller and worse was to follow for the home side four minutes later.

Roy Gordon battled past a couple of challengers and rifled the ball into the net past a helpless Richard Hawman. Shields made the game safe in the last couple of minutes.

Gordon's corner was helped on by Paul Ross to Eddie Miller, who hammered in an unstoppable shot.

The trophy was presented by league secretary Tom Clark to captain David Little making his 200th appearance for the Robins.

RA's Mark Radmore and Shields' Martin Lamb were taken to hospital following a clash of heads.