Shildon are showing no signs of slipping at the top of the table following a 3-0 home win over Sunderland RCA on Saturday – and they’re in the right mood for a possible title decider.

The Railwaymen now have a 19 point lead at the top of the table from second placed Marske who have three games in hand, and 20 points from Morpeth, who have six games in hand. Shildon could give themselves a huge boost tonight if they win their re-arranged league game at Morpeth.

Manager Gary Forrest said; “It was a bit frustrating at times because we should have killed the game off when we were 1-0 up. If we’d done that, then that would have enabled us to relax a bit more and save energy for Monday Night’s game. But it was still a solid performance.”

Shildon missed two good chances before they took the lead when Lewis Wing fired home, and they missed three more opportunities before Billy Greulich-Smith made it 2-0 with a header after 21 minutes It was one-way traffic in the second half and RCA keeper Michael Woud made three good saves, before Paul Connor scored the third from a Greulich-Smith pass.

Sunderland RCA manager Marty Swales said; “We were beaten by the better side, they’re well-drilled champions elect. We had too many injuries for us to compete.”

Marske recovered from three successive defeats to move back into second with a 3-0 home win over West Allotment.

After the visitors hit the post, Marske took the lead with a penalty by Luke Bythway after Reece Kelly was tripped in the area, and then they had two more efforts cleared off the line before Nathan Mulligan scored the second from a Bythway pass.

Kelly made sure in stoppage time from a Dan Newby pass.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “We’re glad to get back on track. The lads worked really hard and never gave up. It could have been a lot more if it wasn’t for poor finishing, but glad with three points.”

Vase finalists Morpeth easily beat bottom club Norton 6-0 at Craik Park. They were only one goal up at half time through Lee McAndrew, but right at the start of the second half Sean Taylor scored twice within a minute. Stephen Anderson, Ben Sayer and McAndrew added further goals.

Norton are now only one defeat away from the drop.

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “We spoke a lot before the game about the standards we want for the rest of the season and the lads started today with the response we wanted.”

Norton manager Deano Browne said “We got outclassed by a much fitter and stronger Morpeth side. The tough games in midweek caught up with our thin squad and we struggled to deal with a very good and well-organised Morpeth.”

Bishop Auckland’s promotion hopes took a knock when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Whitley Bay.

The visitors took the lead on 5 minutes with a good curling shot by Adam Shanks, but Bishops levelled with a great shot by Priestley Griffiths midway through the half.

But ten minutes later Whitley regained the lead when Arjun Purewal turned an Aiden Haley cross into his own net.

Bishops put Whitley under pressure in the second half, but they were finished off when recent signing Callum Patton quickly turned and fired into the top corner.

Bishop Auckland manager Steve Riley said; “We were affected by two late withdrawals in defence which meant changing the team at the last minute. But we didn’t defend properly for all three Whitley goals and lost out to many battles around the field individually. We need to regroup and get players back for our next game.”

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said; “It was a tremendous display from the whole squad. Special thanks to Ryan Keltie who came in from the reserves and played centre half with Richard Flynn and Callum Anderson giving Bishops nothing all day.”

Durham City lost 1-0 at Newton Aycliffe, which means that they are still nine points adrift of safety, although they have seven games left.

Matty Moffat gave Aycliffe a second minute lead when he was given plenty of time to lob the Durham keeper, but Aycliffe didn’t really press home their advantage.

Durham had plenty of possession, and Aycliffe keeper James Winter pulled off a couple of good saves in the second half.

Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon said; “We were poor and just had the attitude of just having to do enough to win, which isn’t acceptable. Durham have a great side but are a little bit naïve. I hope they get enough points to stay in the division.”

Durham manager Chris Moore said; “We recovered well from conceding in the first minute. We played some decent football considering the pitch, particularly in the second half, but unfortunately couldn’t get an equaliser.”

Bedlington also need a miracle, as they are eight points adrift after they lost 3-1 at home to Guisborough.

The Priorymen took the lead after 4 minutes when Peter Bulmer finished off a powerful run with a good shot and they went 2-0 up when Connor Smith broke away and scored the second just before half time.

Marc Walton pulled a goal back for Bedlington from the penalty spot, but Smith restored Guisborough’s two goal lead on the hour.

Guisborough manager Steve Dowling said; “We controlled the first half and went two goals up. Credit to Bedlington they gave it a go in the second half, scored a penalty and gave us a few problems, but Connor’s second saw us home.”

Consett won for the second time in three days by beating North Shields 3-2 at Belle View. Consett took the lead with a Josh Gray penalty and then hit the woodwork three times before Stuart Donnison levelled for Shields just on half time.

Nathan Steele restored Consett’s lead with a good header from Jordan Lavery’s cross , then Luke Sullivan made it 3-1 with a spectacular effort from halfway. Gareth Bainbridge pulled a goal back for Shields.

Consett caretaker manager Mark Eccles said; “The lads played well, and I thought we deserved to win by a bigger margin. We played with discipline and the lads did exactly what we asked of them.”

North Shields assistant manager Andy Bowman said; “We were poor in the first half, and credit to Consett they were right at it. We didn’t defend very well for the three goals but we dug in and could have got back on level terms near the end.”

West Auckland had a bad day, going down 3-1 at Seaham Red Star.

The home side took the lead when David Palmer hit the bar, and Craig Lynch scored from the rebound. Within a minute they made it 2-0 with a powerful shot by McBryde.

Paul Gardiner scored the third with a good shot on 79 minutes, with West replying through Tommy Marron’s 20 yarder.

West have dropped to fourth bottom, eight points above the relegation zone.

West Auckland manager Andy Campbell said; “The best team won, we played well at the beginning and when we were 3-0 down, but not in between.”

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said; “It was a tremendous display from the whole squad. Special thanks to Ryan Keltie who came in from the reserves and played centre half with Richard Flynn and Callum Anderson giving Bishops nothing all day.”

Seaham manager Mark Collingwood said; “It was a comfortable win. We were clinical in the final third and we scored three great goals. They went pear-shaped totally once they lost their manager for foul and abusive language, it was a comfortable three points.”

Dunston had a day to forget, losing 3-0 at Penrith.

Dunston keeper Liam Connell saved a penalty, but he had no chance when Kevin Connelly broke through and scored. After the referee was replaced because of injury, Jamie Hope made it 2-0 and Connelly scored the third in stoppage time. Dunston have now dropped to 11th place.

Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin said; “A shocking team performance, we deserved what we got.”

Jarrow Roofing lost 3-0 at home to Ashington. The Colliers took the lead on 24 minutes with a 25 yarder by Adam Harvey, then Michael Dixon made it 2-0 from the edge of the box. Damien Stevens broke away and scored the third on 71 minutes.

Ashington assistant manger Ian Skinner said; “Another good team performance and another good three points in what’s been a good week for us.”

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “We didn’t play bad. We had lots of chances but the first mistake cost us, then two more daft goals.”

Washington came from two goals down at Newcastle Benfield to win 3-2.

Benfield took a 2-0 lead with efforts by Dan Taylor and Josh Scott by the 53rd minute but Washington mounted a late rally. Adam McGuiness pulled a goal back on 62 minutes, then Ross Preston and Jonny Butler scored twice in the last five minutes.

Newcastle Benfield joint manager Mark Convery said; “We threw it away, I can’t add too much to that.”

Washington manager Steve Hutchinson said; “Not a great deal of football got played on a heavy pitch and after finding ourselves 2-0 down in a battle is hard to cope with but to come back and win 3-2 shows great character throughout the team.”

In the second division, promoted South Shields are now fourteen points clear after winning 3-0 at Tow Law.

Ben Riding put them in the lead on 38 minutes with a header from Robbie Briggs’ corner, then Briggs scored the second with a 25 yard free kick.

Warren Byrne then scored a memorable goal, when he flicked the ball in the air twice, swivelled and then hit a left foot volley beyond the keeper’s dive for the third.

South Shields coach Dave Hall said; “Warren’s goal was one of the best I’ve seen in my life, it was an absolute screamer.”

Second placed Chester-le-Street just managed to scrape past Heaton Stannington by 2-1.

After a goalless first half, Dan Hepplewhite headed Chester into the lead from a free kick, but Heaton levelled through Matty Hayton in a scramble. But Craig Mickle popped up with the winner with just a few minutes left.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “A really poor performance, but it’s all about the points after the game at this stage and we got three. We didn’t get started and the performance was flat from start to finish, so I am happy with the points but not the manner of the performance.”

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “It was an absolutely depleted team, but couldn’t fault the effort. We were unlucky not to get something. They were no better than us, but we move on to our next match and hopefully have a few more players back.”

Billingham Synthonia dropped into fourth because of a 2-1 away defeat at Brandon.

James Ellis put Brandon into the lead, but then Synners’ Jamie Clarke missed a penalty. Synners did pull level when Max Craggs scored from the edge of the box, but Paul Basey got the winner with a shot on the turn.

Ryhope CW passed the 100 goals mark for the season with a 3-1 win home over Willington and are now third.

Chris Trewick gave Ryhope the lead after 35 minutes , then Conor Winter added a second on the hour. Will Preston pulled a goal back, but Winter added his second of the game.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “I shouldn’t complain after winning but I came away disappointed with the performance as it was very lack lustre and was nowhere near the standards set in previous weeks. We rode our luck early doors and didn’t really deserve to go in at half time leading or even on level terms. The second half was a little better, but all in all, I didn’t enjoy a win like I should, but I will take it.”

Willington manager Gary Innes said; “We’re disappointed with the result, the performance was ok, and we should have had a penalty.”

Team Northumbria kept the pressure on the top four with a 4-1 win over Alnwick. Joel Bradley scored a hat trick for Team Northumbria, and Luke Hannant scored a fourth. Nathan Liddell replied for Alnwick.

Northallerton had a good 4-0 away win at Hebburn, who were celebrating their 1,000th game in the league.

Andrew Ramsbottom crossed from the left for Elliott McGlade to give Northallerton the lead then Aaron Ramsbottom made it 2-0 at the end of a five man move.

Northallerton scored twice more in the last few minutes through Aaron Ramsbottom and Danny McLachlan.

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “A very comfortable win. Our goalkeeper only made one save due to the quality in front of him with a solid performance from the midfield and pleasing to see the strikers scoring, A better test awaits on Wednesday, let’s see if the hunger for it.”

Billingham Town beat Ryton and Crawcrook 1-0, thanks to a second half goal by Craig Hutchinson, who has now scored 16 in the league for the season.

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “The game should have been over by half time, but frustration crept into our game in the second half. We kept chipping away and got our just rewards for once, and it shows the desire we have created at the club.”

Esh Winning scored a late goal to give them a valuable point at home to Crook Town in a 3-3 draw. Crook looked to have won it with goals by Sean Tarling (2) and Steven Fothergill, but Adam Ward scored the equaliser following goals by Max Stoker and Daniel Mann.

Crook caretaker manager Colin Myers said; “To individual errors after a bright start was the story of the first half. Second half we made a change to personnel and formation and we dominated. We missed too many easy chances and should have been out of sight before they equalised in the last minute, The performance was an improvement on the last so we will keep working it.”

Darlington RA lost 1-0 at home to Thornaby, Gary Mitchell heading the winner from a Theo Furness cross on 89 minutes.

Thornaby manager Paul Edwards said; “It was a hard fought win. I thought we deserved the points with having more chances.”

Second bottom Birtley lost 4-1 at Easington, which means that they are four points from safety with four games left. Luke Page and Joe Kerridge put Easington 2-0 up, and after Alex Webb pulled a goal back, Shaun Smith and Dylan Nesbitt made sure for Easington.

Bottom club Stokesley had a miserable 2-0 home defeat by Whickham, for whom Craig Rook and Steven Aiston scored.

Stokesley manager Craig Winter said; “Some players summed the season up. They refused to warm up and not get stripped because they were on the bench so fair play to the core of eight regulars who worked hard, but the others were told to leave the club.”