Danny Johnson, the top scorer in the EBAC Northern League, said farewell as he helped Guisborough to a 3-0 win over champions Spennymoor at the King George on Saturday.

Johnson has been one of the stars of Guisborough’s season as they finish in fourth place, and has bagged 45 league goals to make him the league’s top scorer by eight from his next rival. He also scored the winner in last week’s North Riding Senior Cup final against Middlesbrough.

It now looks as if his career will continue higher up the ladder, with Cardiff City leading the chase, and Middlesbrough and Carlisle United also showing interest.

Johnson showed some flashes of brilliance that have encouraged the chasing clubs, although it was his strike partner, Mikey Roberts, who put the Priorymen into the lead on the half hour when he beat two men on the edge of the box and beat Peter Jeffries with a left foot shot into the roof of the net.

It was 2-0 early in the second half when Moors were caught out completely by a quickly taken free kick, and Johnson and Roberts played a 1-2 for Johnson to score with a left foot shot.

Moors missed a penalty when Liam Henderson’s weak effort was saved by Luke Coddington, and Guisborough made them pay when Johnson ran through and beat Jeffries with a powerful shot at the near post.

It was also Moors’ last league game before they depart for the Evo-Stik League, but nevertheless they have still broken the 100 point barrier.

Moors manager Jason Ainsley said; “There was nothing in the game in the first half, and I thought both sides played some good football. We shot ourselves in the foot second half by giving the ball away from our setplays. Their two forwards were the difference, but our lads have been fantastic this season and deserve to be champions.”

In the second division, Ryton and Crawcrook pulled off their version of the great escape when they won 4-2 at South Shields to preserve their second division status and relegate Esh Winning instead.

They led with a goal by Scott Gunn that was cancelled out by Richard Logan, and after Shields had a goal disallowed, Ryton took control at the start of the second half. Josh Holland and Gunn made it 3-1, but Shields made them nervous again when Shaun Smith scored. However, Dean Sinclair quickly made it 4-2 and Ryton were safe.

Promoted Jarrow Roofing, with one eye on a cup final today, lost 2-1 at Whitehaven.

The Cumbrians took the lead after just 27 seconds with a Craig Robson lob, but Roofing equalised through Andy Appleby from a rebound. But Kevin Connolly got the winner for Whitehaven at the start of the second half.

Roofing are in the Ernest Armstrong Cup semi final this afternoon against Washington. The game is being played at Hebburn, kick off 3pm.

Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “A long league season comes to an end and we bid farewell to all the fantastic second division teams and friends. We had a couple of knocks that we had to protect ahead of Monday’s final, and we’re looking to sign off on a high now.”