Leaders Shildon drop points for second time in a week

Shildon won their first three league matches of the season in convincing fashion and conceded only one goal, but they have drawn their last two home games, the other by 2-2 against Whitley Bay, therefore missing an opportunity to open up a gap over the chasers. After they were reduced to ten men following Dan Groves’ red card, they had Steve Capper to thank for a late goal to rescue a point against Gary Pearson’s battlers.

Manager Gary Forrest said; ““We were poor defensively and credit to Ryhope they worked really hard and took their chances . Their keeper had a great game but overall I’m disappointed at conceding five goals in two games.”

Ryhope stunned Shildon by taking the lead after 28 minutes, when Harvey Saunders, on loan from Darlington, lobbed Nick Liversedge from distance, but David Ferguson headed the equaliser for Shildon.

Ben Wood chipped Ryhope keeper Chris Rookes to put Shildon into the lead before the break, but Ryhope bounced back with an effort by Mattie Weirs soon after half time.

Saunders again got clear and beat Liversedge to put Ryhope into the lead, but in stoppage time Stephen Capper grabbed an equaliser and broke Ryhope’s hearts.

Bishop Auckland dropped points in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle Benfield.

They took an early lead when Andre Bennett beat a defender and fired home, but Benfield joint boss Paul Brayson levelled on 26 minutes from a rebound. Brayson then dispossessed a defender and fired the second after 37 minutes, but Bishops levelled through sub Ryu Williamson from a few yards and maintain Bishops’ unbeaten record.

Bishop Auckland manager Steve Riley said; “We took an early lead, but then conceded two goals and let Benfield into the game. Second half we changed the shape and we looked a lot better and deserved to equalise. I think a point was fair to both sides as we had the better of the second half.”

West Auckland’s hopes of turning their season around were dashed when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Dunston UTS, and they’ve now slipped into the bottom three.

Scott Heslop headed Dunston into the lead from an Adam Froggett cross, then he scored the second from the edge of the box with the help of a slight deflection.

Adam Burnicle pulled a goal back just after half time, but Liam Thear headed Dunston into a 3-1 lead. Burnicle scored a late goal for West, but it was too late.

Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin said; “We’re delighted with the win, we’ve just got to keep working hard for each other.”

West Auckland manager Andy Campbell said; “We were poor again, we need this to stop asap! There were some poor decisions and the players need to be men.”

Consett are just a point off the leaders thanks to a 2-0 away win at Newton Aycliffe.

They took the lead after 14 minutes when Jake Stafford scored from 25 yards off a Jordan Nellis pass, but then Luke Sullivan had a penalty saved by Aycliffe keeper James Winter. But Consett kept their cool and made sure of the points when Sullivan set up Nellis to score.

Consett manager Mark Eccles said; “It was a battle that we won and totally deserved. The lads worked hard and I’m pleased with a win as it’s a tough place to go. We didn’t play to our best but if we work that hard every game, I believe we will win more than lose.”

Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon said; “It was frustrating because we didn’t take our chances. If we keep playing like that, then I won’t be disappointed.”

Guisborough had a good 3-1 away win at Ashington.

Both sides had good chances before Guisborough took the lead on 53 minutes when Paul Blake scored at the second attempt, but Ashington levelled with a Kyle Downey penalty after Lee McAndrew was fouled.

But Guisborough regained the lead with a Thibault Charmey header, then Matty Pennal ran through and scored the third.

Guisborough manager Steve Dowling said; “It was a good team performance. We totally dominated the first half and maybe should have scored a few more.”

Ashington assistant manager Ian Skinner said; “We didn’t get close enough to Guisborough in the first half and allowed them too much time and space. We went 1-0 down and second half we pressed higher, changed our shape and caused Guisborough more problems. We got back to 1-1 and then mistakes have cost us when we were on top.”

Chester-le-Street’s early season woes continued when they were beaten 6-0 at home by South Shields.

Jon Shaw headed Shields into the lead from a Danny Carson cross, and then Shaw scored a second from Barrie Smith cross.

Recent signing Carl Finnigan got the third from a Carson assist, and before half time Julio Arca set up another for David Palmer.

Carson made it 5-0 after Warren Byrne hit the post, and Robbie Briggs scored another with a left foot shot. Chester are still pointless in five games.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “We were beaten by a much better side. The lads gave me everything that they had so I have no complaints. We could have done better on four out of the six goals, but honestly they are in a different league to us.”

Seaham Red Star had a good 3-1 derby win at Jarrow Roofing, who have signed defender Arjun Purewal from Bishop Auckland.

Seaham took the lead through a Paul Gardiner rebound after 5 minutes, then three minutes later Dan Kirkup headed the second. Luke Proctor set up Bird for the third midway through the second half before Anth Myers fired into the top corner.

Seaham manager Mark Collingwood said; “They were a hard fought three points, fully deserved after a great first half performance. They were much needed.”

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “It was a poor performance, Seaham were the better team. We weren’t on today.”

Marske United, who had lost their previous two league games, won 2-0 at Mount Pleasant against Washington.

There were plenty of chances at both ends until Reece Kelly gave Marske the lead from a Glen Butterworth pass just before half time, and with ten minutes left, Danny Earl fired the second from the edge of the box.

Marske assistant manager Nicky Ward said; “They were a good three points against a physical side. The lads had to dig in and we got the response we were after.”

Washington manager Neil Hixon said; “We controlled the game from start to finish but two naïve defensive errors costs us.”

Sunderland RCA missed a chance to go top because they were held to a 2-2 draw by Morpeth. Steve Callen tapped in from a Colin Larkin cross to give RCA the lead, but Morpeth’s Paul Robinson scored from a rebound to put his side level before half time.

Former RCA player Keith Graydon fired Morpeth into the lead just after half time, but Greg Swansbury equalised from a free kick.

Sunderland RCA manager Marty Swailes said; “I’m gutted because we bossed the game and should have been 4-1 up at half time. They then scored five minutes into the second half and we had chance after chance until we equalised. Disappointed with a draw.”

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “We were far from our best but got a point so that’s a positive. I know the players will be looking to bounce back on Monday.”

Whitley Bay also missed a chance to go above Shildon because they were held to a 2-2 draw by North Shields.

Adam Shanks put Whitley into the lead from an Alex Kempster pass, but Shields equalised on 49 minutes through a Ryan Carr free kick. Shields went in front with another free kick by Carr and that looked enough until Kempster scored from an Aiden Haley assist.

North Shields assistant manager Andy Bowman said; “It was a tight game like derbies are and Whitley have a good young side. We showed character coming from a goal down and were unlucky not to hold on.”

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said; “We are a little disappointed not to have won but at the same time fairly happy to have equalised in the 90th minute. I thought we were the better team but two daft challenges led to two free kicks and two goals. Better discipline would have prevented the goals.”

Penrith beat West Allotment 2-1 in the other first division game. Ryan Veitch scored after just 48 seconds, with Kevin Connelly scoring the second. Allotment replied late on through Adam Laidler from a free kick.

Stockton Town are back on top of the second division thanks to a 4-2 derby win at Norton and Stockton.

Kallum Hannah opened the scoring when he beat RA keeper Phil Pentony, but Norton levelled through Phil Caley. Hannah put Stockton back into the lead with a free kick, and jut on half time Matthew Garbutt scored from another setpiece. Caley pulled a goal back for Norton, but sub Sonni Coleman scored a good goal to make sure of the points.

Stockton Town manager Micky Dunwell said; “It was a good hard working performance, we took our chances against a very organised Norton side. It keeps our little unbeaten run going and players are getting used to this league with every game.”

Norton manager Deano Browne said; “I’m disappointed , but there were some promising signs in a game we dominated. We gifted them some chances through individual mistakes and they took them well.”

Easington were knocked off the top and lost their 100 per cent record because they were beaten 1-0 at home by Billingham Town, for whom Chris Dickinson scored just before half time.

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “It was a fully deserved three points. I thought our workrate from start to finish was top drawer. We didn’t allow them to play their normal game and frustrated them across the middle of the park. The players worked their socks off and got their reward for it.”

Billingham Synthonia thumped Darlington RA 6-1 at Central Avenue.

Matthew Crust put Synners into an early lead from a corner, but Daniel Pigg equalised with a long distance lob.

Synners took control after half time. Anthony Peacock set up Chay Liddle to score with a good shot, then Sam Garvie fired the third. Max Craggs got the fourth from a Nathan Steel assist, and Macauley Langstaffe blasted another. Crust made it 6-1 with a stoppage time header.

Billingham Synthonia manager Conrad Hillerby said; “We responded to a poor first half performance and we came through strong in the second half.”

Crook Town conceded six when they were beaten 6-2 at home by Alnwick, and have now slipped to third bottom.

They led 2-1 at one stage, with goals by Sonny Andrews and Ryan Cummings with Jamie Dixon in between. But Alnwick took the points with a hat trick by Tony Brown and a pair by Liam Brooks.

Crook manager Colin Myers said; “It wasn’t a good performance. We are lacking a basic fighting spirit and are too easily beaten at the moment. However, this is very much a work in progress and we have a long way to go. We will get better!”

Thornaby had a good 2-1 away win at Blyth Town, who took the lead after five minutes through Lee Middleton, but Thornaby hit back with goals before half time through Louis Johnson and Matthew Robinson.

Durham City dropped out of the top six when they lost 1-0 at home to Heaton Stannington, for whom Dan Robinson scored in the fourth minute. Heaton have now won their last three league games.

Durham manager Chris Moore said; “For the third game in a row we’ve completely controlled it, playing some great football and limiting the opposition to the odd counter attack. Unfortunately we’ve conceded early and fair play to Heaton, they hung on and defended for their lives. I certainly can’t fault our lads’ play and effort though.”

Northallerton bounced back with a 3-1 home win over Ryton and Crawcrook. A Ryton clearance bounced off Tom Atkinson into the net for Northallerton’s opener, but Ryton equalised through Adam Chrostowski. Stuart Owen restored Northallerton’s lead from the penalty spot and Stephen Jackson fired the third.

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “It was a pretty even game. There wasn’t much in it, and we probably shaded the 90 minutes, which was reflected by the bits of quality that got us the goals. Ryton are a good side who all worked hard for each other.”

Tow Law suffered their second home defeat inside a week when they were beaten 3-1 by Whickham and have now dropped to ninth.

Lawyers took the lead through Steve Thexton, and they looked good for victory when Whickham’s Kallum Broadhead was sent off. But Whickham levelled with a Mark Fitzpatrick penalty, then sub Ross Nicholson put them in front just after coming on as a sub. Fitzpatrick curled the third into the top corner.

Brandon are still without a win after they were easily beaten 5-0 at home by Team Northumbria, who scored all their goals in the first half. Dan Taggart scored a hat trick for Team North, with Kevin Carr and Ryan Redford also chipping in.

Esh Winning are stuck on the bottom without a point in seven games after they lost 5-1 at Willington, conceding their first goal after just 20 seconds. Robbie Williamson scored twice for Willington, with Reece Brown, Michael Brown and Anthony Lee scoring the others. Jack Vaulks replied for Esh.

Esh Winning manager Alan Hayes said; “We never gave ourselves a chance, gifting them a goal after 16 seconds and another gift minutes later. We have a massive game coming up now on Wednesday against Brandon.”

Willington manager Gary Innes said; “It was a great team performance, it should have been double figures.”

Hebburn scored twice in the dying minutes to snatch a 2-1 home win against Bedlington.

The visitors led with a goal by Jonathan Wright, but Hebburn hit back with goals by Channon North and Alan Pegram.