Shildon are still on course to win the ENL after they easily won 4-1 at Sunderland RCA, while Marske United, their nearest challengers hammered relegated Celtic Nation 8-0.

Shildon started the game well and never looked back. They took the lead after 6 minutes when Billy Greulich-Smith’s cross was turned into his own net by an RCA defender, then a few minutes later Paul Connor charged through and beat the keeper.

It was 3-0 soon after, when RCA keeper Kyle Morris pushed a corner into his own net after the ball had come back off the bar.

There was nearly another own goal at the start of the second half when a shot by Chris Emms was nearly turned the net by a defender. Morris then pulled off a good save, and Greulich-Smith had a header cleared off the line.

Connor then scored his second of the game with a header from Greulich-Smith cross, before James Armstrong pulled a late goal back Shildon have two games remaining, at home to Durham on Saturday and away to Bedlington next Tuesday. If they win them both, then they are champions.

The league had the championship trophy ready to present at Marske if Shildon slipped up, but Marske will have to wait another day even though they trounced Celtic Nation 8-0 in front of a 502 crowd.

Marske, who started 15 minutes after Shildon, took the lead after just two minutes through Jamie Owens with a header, and then Owens set a club record of 28 league goals in season a few minutes later from a Josh MacDonald cross.

He then scored his 40th in all competitions in the 12th minute when he ran on to a through ball and slotted the ball home. Marske skipper Craig Gott fired the fourth, then Adam Wheatley headed the fifth by the half hour mark from a corner.

It was 6-0 soon after half time when Glen Butterworth scored from the rebound after MacDonald hit the post, then Connor Hood got the seventh from the spot. MacDonald got the eighth with five minutes left.

Marske have now completed their fixtures.

In the second division, Tow Law lost 3-0 at home to Ryhope CW.