Bishop Auckland are now without a win in six matches after they were beaten 3-1 at North Shields in the ENL tonight.

However, they looked as if they would hold on to a draw after they had Johnny Butler red carded after 30 minutes.

Bishops had an Andy Johnson goal disallowed for offside early on, before Shields took the lead on 17 minutes when Gareth Bainbridge latched on to a through ball and beat Steven Richardson in the Bishops goal.

After Johnny Butler missed a good chance for Bishops, Bishops levelled with a Johnson header after he was left unmarked at a corner. However, they had Butler red carded for violent conduct on the half hour.

Bishops played well after that, but they conceded twice in the last six minutes. James Luccock finished off a counter attack and Bainbridge fired the third off a Denver Morris pass.

In the second division, Tow Law were beaten by a last minute goal at Stokesley after Gus Silva had pulled them level with five minutes left.

Shildon will play Gateshead in the final of the Durham Challenge Cup on Good Friday at Eppleton, after the Tynesiders beat Wearside League Easington 7-2.