Stokesley moved six points away from the relegation zone with a crucial 2-0 home win over Norton last night.

They took the lead after 38 minutes when Karl Liley beat two men and set up David Wells to drive the ball home, and after Jamie Owens twice went close for Norton, Bryan Stewart crossed for James Decosemo to lob the keeper for the second.

Stokesley are now fifth from bottom, with Jarrow Roofing dropping a place.

Dunston won 1-0 at Bedlington with a goal by Ian Herron, while in the second division a late goal by Simon Brown gave Morpeth a point at Brandon, for whom Marc Costello scored in the first half.

Thursday STL Northern League Division One.

Bedlington 0 Dunston 1 (Herron), Stokesley 2 (Wells, Decosemo) Norton 0.

Division Two.

Brandon 1 (Costello) Morpeth 1 (Brown).