Shildon manager Gary Forrest joked that he expects another tough FA Vase draw after the Railwaymen beat 2015 winners North Shields by 2-1 at the Daren Persson Stadium on Saturday.

Shields have an impressive home record in the league, but Shildon produced one of their best performances of the season to move into the last 32 of the competition.

“I thought we had total control of the game until the last 20 minutes when we had our keeper sent off,” said Forrest. “The lads really dug in when it mattered, and found a way to win the game against a very good team that is unbeaten at home in the league.

“We’re hoping now for a not-so-difficult draw in the next round, but knowing our luck, we’ll probably get either Morpeth or South Shields!”

Shildon took a grip on the game after eight minutes when Micky Rae scored with a header, but Shields were denied an equaliser when Dean Holmes struck the post.

Lewis Wing was just wide with a 25 yarder for Shildon, then Rae had another effort cleared off the line.

The game swung from end to end after that, and it was Shildon who scored a crucial second on 63 minutes when Amar Purewal scored with an effort from the edge of the area.

But Shildon lost their breathing space when keeper Nick Liversedge was dismissed for pushing over Shields striker Holmes, and within minutes Shields pulled a goal back when Denver Morris beat replacement keeper Keith Finch.

Shields had penalty claims turned down as they piled on the pressure, but Shildon held on.

Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon was sacked after his side’s bad tempered 3-2 home defeat by holders Morpeth.

There were some unsavoury incidents as the teams walked off the field, and then in the dressing rooms, and Dixon was sacked an hour later.

“I’ve been told that I’ve been sacked for failing to control the players, and that the club is unhappy with the team’s lack of discipline,” he said.

Aycliffe refused to comment, but confirmed that they are looking for a new manager for their next game at Jarrow Roofing on Saturday.

Dixon, who took West Auckland to two Vase finals, took charge of Newton Aycliffe two seasons ago, and guided them to victory in the Durham Challenge Cup last season. They are currently seventh in the ENL table.

Aycliffe took the lead after 43 minutes when John Campbell latched on to a long ball and lifted the ball over Morpeth keeper Karl Dryden, but Morpeth levelled through Matty Grieve from a Marc Doninger free kick on 47 minutes.

Liam Henderson exchanged passes with Ben Sayer to put Morpeth in front, then the pair combined well again for Henderson to score the third.

Campbell pulled a goal back, and in the closing minutes Aycliffe had two penalty appeals turned down.

Billingham Town had an excellent 2-1 away win at Bottesford to put them into the last 32 for the first time since 2004.

Town hit the post through Craig Hutchinson in the first half, and they took the lead on 53 minutes when Hutchinson headed a free kick past the Bottesford keeper for his eighth goal in a week.

Hutchinson then beat two defenders and set up Luke Hogan to make it 2-0 with just a couple of minutes left, and in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Bottesford pulled a goal back.

Town manager Barry Oliver said; “It was a fantastic performance. The pace of our forwards caused Bottesford all sorts of problems. I’m very pleased for the club after all it has gone through in recent years.”

Sunderland RCA pulled off a good away win, by 3-1 at fellow Northern League side Dunston UTS.

Former Hartlepool striker Colin Larkin was their hero, scoring a hat trick. He opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a header, and he finished off a good build up for the second on 34 minutes. He completed his hat trick with six minutes left, before Ryan Drane scored a late consolation.

Sunderland RCA manager Marty Swales said; “It was a great win. I thought we were the better side from the first minute. Colin Larkin scored a top class hat trick.”

Favourites South Shields beat Staveley 3-0 at Mariners Park.

Michael Richardson, signed the day before from Blyth, put Shields into the lead with a low shot on 25 minutes, then he scored the second from a David Foley cross just on half time.

Shields missed several more chances before Robbie Briggs scored the third from a Wayne Phillips cross on 75 minutes.

The other Northern League side in the third round, Penrith, were beaten 3-0 at home by Atherton.