ENL leaders Guisborough suffered their first defeat in 20 league games against Marske in their local derby at the King George this morning.

Guisborough took the lead after just six minutes with a 20 yard strike from Lee Bythway, and they held on to the lead until just before the half time whistle when Glen Butterworth fired into the top corner from 25 yards out.

Marske’s Adam Wheatley hit the crossbar early in the second half with a header, then Bythway missed an easy chance at the other end.

Marske broke through again on 72 minutes when Jamie Owens had a shot blocked by Guisborough keeper Nick Liversedge, but recovered quickly to score from the rebound. Guisborough nearly levelled with a few minutes left, when Damien Stevens hit the post.

Marske are now two points behind Guisborough with a game in hand, but Shildon and North Shields can still overtake them.

Billingham Synthonia are out of the relegation zone after they won 3-0 at Penrith. The game was held up for over an hour because of an accident on the A66 , but that didn’t affect Synners because they took the lead with a goal by Tommy Marron on 11 minutes, then Mattie Osmond added two more.

Synners are ahead of West Allotment on gaol difference.

In the second division, Thornaby won 2-0 at Stokesley with goals by Curtis Edwards and Joe Melvin, while Stephen Ramsey scored both South Shields goals at Esh Winning, but was then sent off. Luke Thompson scored for Esh.