Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe blamed his side's finishing for their failure to win the Durham Challenge Cup on Monday.

Brandon lost 2-0 against favourites Bishop Auckland, but the Northern League side hit a post, missed a penalty, and failed with two chances when they were clean through with only Bishops' keeper Steve Jones to beat.

"There was nothing unlucky about it," he said. "We lost because of bad finishing.

"I thought we acquitted ourselves well, and we looked a good side. We certainly played a lot better than we did last year when we lost to Darlington.

"Lots of people came up to me after the game and said that we did well, and the better team lost.

"Last year, I wasn't too disappointed because we lost to a better team.

"This year, it's different, because if we'd defended a little better and put our chances away, then we would have won.

"I've told the players that we must aim to come back for a third successive final."

Dave Robson hit Steve Jones' legs when he was clean through, before Bishops took the lead after 31 minutes, Andrew Shaw heading in a right wing cross from Steve Hutt.

Bishops went 2-0 up after 62 minutes with a header by David Gallagher from a Danny Brunskill cross, but then Brandon took control of the game.

Andy Burton's weak penalty was easily saved by Jones, Andy Purvis failed when he just had Jones to beat, and Robson hit a post.

Bishops manager Tony Lee said: "Brandon gave us a tough game because they tried to play football."

Brandon, meanwhile, are guaranteed a top six finish in the league, their best position.

West Auckland had a good 4-0 away win over Billingham Town on Wednesday night, Danny Mellanby scoring twice.

Roy Allen put West ahead from close range just before half-time, but in the second-half Town couldn't get to grips with Mellanby, who scored from passes by Jonathan Milroy and Dale Anderson. Mellanby returned the favour for Dale Anderson to score the fourth late in the game.

Easington are now all but relegated after losing 3-0 at Marske.

The home side took the lead after seven minutes when Simon Kasonali crossed from the right for James Middleton to head in, and they went further ahead when Ben Thompson set up Dave Markham for the second after 36 minutes.

Thompson also provided the pass for Darren Sankey to score the third.

Easington have now finished their fixtures and will fill the third relegation spot if Morpeth pick up a point at Crook Town tonight.

Champions Bedlington finished the game at Consett with ten men because of injuries.

Bedlington had used all three substitutes when striker Willie Moat limped off ten minutes from time. They took the lead after 33 minutes when Richie Bond scored from a rebound, and Consett grabbed a point when Tony Halliday scored from the edge of the box in the last minute.

Evenwood beat Whickham 3-2 to make sure that they don't finish in the bottom two. Evenwood took the lead through Andrew Patterson's header after 47 minutes, then Nicky Bellew ran through to score the second shortly after. Charlie Storey pulled one back for Whickham, but Stuart Murray lobbed the keeper for 3-1. Scott Lamb scored a late penalty for Whickham.

l The League Cup final between Marske and Bedlington takes place at West Auckland on Thursday, kick off 7.30 pm. The Craven Cup final between South Shields and Penrith is at Shildon the following night. Penrith reached the final by beating Thornaby 4-2 on Wednesday while Shields won 1-0 at Prudhoe last Saturday.

l Durham City have started digging their pitch up ready for next season. The New Ferens Park surface is already the best in the league, but the club wants to improve it for the next campaign.

Manager Brian Honour said: "Our groundsman, Tommy Porter, has told me that it will be 200 per cent better for next season."

The pitch has staged 58 matches this season, and was in excellent condition for the Durham Challenge Cup final on Monday.