Guisborough are now relying on a reprieve from the FA after they finished third bottom in the ENL first division when they were beaten 3-2 at home by champions South Shields on Saturday.

Guisborough’s defeat means that they finish below nearest rivals Washington and West Auckland, and now they await a final decision from the FA next month.

History is possibly on Guisborough’s side, as third bottom Sunderland RCA were reprieved when Darlington won the league in 2013, although when Spennymoor won the league in 2014, third bottom Team Northumbria weren’t.

But rumours are strong that third bottom will be reprieved this time round, and manager Gary Forster said; “I think we deserve a reprieve. We have been unlucky with the points we had deducted earlier in the season, and have shown that we have the side and the stadium. We have a first division set up.”

Shields, backed by a big following, got off to a great start when Jordan Blinco scored from the edge of the box, but Steve Roberts levelled with a header on the quarter hour mark.

Barrie Smith quickly restored Shields’ lead with his first goal of the season, and they made it 3-1 when David Foley ran through and set up Carl Finnigan to score on 76 minutes. Jamie Poole pulled a late goal back for the Priorymen.

Guisborough’s defeat means that West Auckland and Washington are both safe.

West, who had to put outfield player Dale Elgie in goal, led Shildon 1-0 at one stage in the game, but they lost 2-1.

After Elgie made a good early save, they took the lead when Ibby Hassan headed in a corner by Ross Gardner , but Shildon stepped up the pressure and after Danny Moore and Matty Robson went close, they levelled with ten minutes left when Adam Burnicle broke and away and beat Elgie.

And with four minutes remaining, West were awarded a penalty that Robson converted, although Elgie almost saved it.

Shildon manager Danny Moore said; “It was a great to come back from 1-0 down on a difficult pitch. We only finished two points short of last year’s total, and I am excited for next season.”

West Auckland assistant manager Stuart Niven said; “There was plenty of effort, discipline and desire, and I was pleased with the players’ overall efforts.”

Washington lost 4-2 at Ryhope CW. Lee Chapman and Tom Bott put Ryhope 2-0 up by the 40th minute, and even though Jake Pickard pulled a goal back, Josh Home-Jackson and James Ellis made it 4-1 before half time. Pickard pulled a goal back from the spot with eight minutes left, but it was game over by then.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “I’m really happy with the final performance of the season. Four quality finishes.”

Newton Aycliffe lost 3-1 at North Shields, who finish third despite gaining more than a century of points.

Gareth Bainbridge put North Shields into the lead from the spot after Robert Taylor was fouled, then he scored the second from the edge of the box following a poor clearance from a left wing cross.

Alan Harrison pulled a goal back, but Lee Mason finished Aycliffe off with a good effort after 75 minutes.

Newton Aycliffe manager Deano Browne said; “It was really poor from us, and we lacked energy and creativity. North Shields were comfortable throughout. It felt like a testimonial at times but the lads have been fantastic and given me and Danny everything since we took charge, and we are grateful for that, but we looked tired.”

North Shields manager Jon McDonald said; “the lads put in a great performance. To get 101 points is a great achievement and the lads are a credit to the club.”

Marske United lost 4-2 to league runners up Morpeth at Craik Park. Jordan Fry headed Morpeth into the lead on 19 minutes, then Sean Taylor curled a second soon after.

Liam Henderson made it 3-0 from a Michael Turner cross just on half time, before Danny Earl pulled a goal back with a clever lob on 56 minutes.

However, Fry made it 4-1 with a low shot before Earl curled a consolation into the bottom corner for his 30th league goal of the season, the first time a Marske player has ever achieved that.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett signed a new two year contract before the game.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “Playing Morpeth is always a tough test. We made too many mistakes that cost us massively.”

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “It was a good game of football with two good teams. I‘m delighted for the lads for getting something out of the game.”

Consett had a dreadful day, losing 5-0 at home to Sunderland RCA. The RCA missed several chances before Steve Callen headed them in front on 33 minutes, and he got the second from the edge of the box after half time.

Johnny Butler strolled through to score the third on 76 minutes, and he scored twice more in stoppage time, one of them from the spot.

Consett manager Mark Eccles said; “It was a dreadful, awful display from us. We didn’t deserve anything and got what we deserved. It was embarrassing.”

Sunderland RCA manager Marty Swailes said; “We dominated from the first minute against a very good Consett side. It could have been a lot more, but story of our season, we missed chances. It was probably our best performance of the season, and hopefully it keeps us in the top ten, which was the aim at the start of the season.”

Jarrow Roofing won 3-2 at Ashington. Michael Mackay gave them the lead straight after half time from a Paul Chow assist, and ten minutes later Mackay made a good run and set up Chris Winn for the second.

Dale Pearson pulled a goal back with a header, but Winn made it 3-1 with a good effort. Ben Sampson scored a late consolation for Ashington, who finish seventh off bottom.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “It was a good finish to the season. We played well and we’re happy with the points.”

Second bottom Chester-le-Street lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle Benfield, for whom Paul Brayson and John Campbell scored in the second half. Brayson has finished the season with 41 league goals and top scorer in the division.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “the lads gave me everything for the last time this season. It’s the best we have played for a while, but we lacked a cutting edge which Benfield had in Brayson and Campbell who basically won them the game with two good goals. It was a disappointing way to end the season, but the performance was very pleasing.”

Whitley Bay finish sixth after winning 4-1 at Penrith, and stretched their unbeaten run to eleven matches. The Cumbrians took the lead through Andy Murray-Jones, but Chris McDonald levelled with a 25 yarder . Kyle Patton made it 2-1 before half time, and in the last ten minutes, Alex Kempster and Liam Brooks scored.

Whitley Bay assistant manager Anthony Woodhouse said; “It was a comfortable win, even though we were down to the bare bones. We conceded early but responded excellently and never looked back. “ Bottom club West Allotment might still withdraw their resignation before the AGM, and they played their last first division game, losing 3-0 at home to Dunston.

It was all over in the first 16 minutes. Ryan Drane put them in the lead from 25 yards, then Richie Slaughter fired a powerful second. Dan Halliday finished off a good move for the third.

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said; “We huffed and puffed, but it was hard to motivate myself let alone the players with everything that’s going on at the club. Fingers crossed we go next season in the second division.”

Dunston UTS manager Chris Swailes said; “It was a good deserved away win and a clean sheet.”

In the second division, champions Stockton Town received the championship trophy before their 1-1 away draw at Heaton Stannington.

The home side took the lead through a Danny Yates penalty, but Stockton stretched their unbeaten league run to 23 matches when Sonni Coleman equalised ten minutes into the second half.

Heaton finished fourth, their highest ever league position.

Stockton manager Micky Dunwell said; “It was a fair result. Both teams had chances to win the game, but we’re happy with a point against a good team. I’m pleased to finish the season unbeaten since November, and looking forward to the cup final next week.”

Runners up Team Northumbria won 1-0 at Thornaby, Ben Dibb-Fuller scoring their goal.

Third placed Billingham Synthonia won their final game by 4-1 at Brandon.

They opened the scoring through Jordan Wilson on 21 minutes, but Lewis Martin levelled soon after.

John Seaton put them back in front on 35 minutes with a long distance effort, then Wilson made it 3-1 from a Macauley Langstaff pass. Wilson missed a penalty, but then he set up Chay Liddle for the fourth.

Billingham Town have to be content with fifth even though they won 4-0 at Tow Law. Chris Dickinson and Elliott Beddow put them 2-0 up in the first half, and after Tow Law had a man red carded, Conor Dunlavey added two more.

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “I asked my players to win the game for the 50 fans who travelled and they duly did. A big thank you to my chairman Peter Martin for supporting me this season and our fantastic fans, and another big thank you to my players for their efforts and giving this club its identity back.”

Tow Law manager Steve Murray said; “It was a disappointing end to a season of slight improvement.”

Darlington RA, who are safe from relegation, lost 4-1 at home to Whickham.

Craig Jelley and Andy Brown put Whickham 2-0 up, and after Callum Bennett pulled a goal back, Jelley and Mark Fitzpatrick added further goals.

Northallerton scored a last minute winner for a 3-2 home win over Willington.

Connor Lowes fired Willington in front, but Danny Jones volleyed the equaliser. Marcus Laing set up Jones to make it 2-1 , but Lewis Milner equalised with a deflected shot for Willington. However, Nicky Martin scored the winner deep into stoppage time.

Willington manager Rob Lee said; “We played well. We had six players missing, and we deserved at least a draw. The winner came in the 94th minute – when you’re down there, nothing goes your way.”

Crook Town had a poor end to the season, losing 5-1 at home to Easington.

Jack Pounder and a penalty by Aiden Goodey put Easington 2-0 up in the first 11 minutes, but Chris Emms pulled a goal back before half time.

Crook faded in the second half , and Easington scored further goals through Aaron Croft, David Paul and Dylan Elliott.

In the other game, Blyth Town easily won 5-0 at Hebburn.