Forrest pays tribute to ground staff after victory

Only mathematics now stand between Shildon and their first title in over 70 years, and Forrest said; “Credit should go to all our volunteers who worked very hard on the pitch early on Saturday morning to get it ready. They cleared a huge amount of water from the pitch in order to get it playable.

“It was important that we played and won on Saturday, because it extended our advantage at the top by even more, and means that we’re a step nearer the title. It’s the sort of spirit that typifies our club, it was a fantastic effort.

“Ironically, I thought our performance was the worst for a while. We didn’t have the same tempo and energy in the first half that we had in midweek when we won at Morpeth, but we cruised through to the second half. However, we conceded a silly goal, and the lads had a go at each other afterwards.”

Shildon took the lead when Billy Greulich-Smith volleyed a clearance by Penrith keeper Aaron Taylor back over the keeper’s head from all of 40 yards, and after Kevin Connelly missed an easy chance for the equaliser when he sidefooted into the side netting after he rounded Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes.

Shildon went 2-0 up on 27 minutes when Micky Rae beat two defenders and slipped the ball through for Lewis wing to fore confidently past Taylor at his near post.

Shildon could have had more before half time, but Taylor pushed Wing’s free kick from 25 yards around the post.

Shildon missed a couple more chances before they broke away through sub Ben Wood, and he laid the third goal on a plate for Anthony Bell.

Penrith pulled a goal back right at the end through Connelly.

Norton are now relegated after they could only draw 1-1 at West Auckland.

The home side had a good first half. Ian Maddison had a header cleared off the line, while Callum Hassan and Adam Burnicle both had efforts saved. They took a deserved lead n 34 minutes when Hassan dispossessed the keeper, and rolled the ball for Burnicle to score an easy goal.

But West didn’t press home their advantage, and Norton came more into the game in the second half and scored six minutes from the end through Dale Mulligan from a left wing cross.

Norton manager Deano Browne said; “We were second best in the first half and gave a poor goal away. We changed things in the second half and started to cause a very organised and hard working West Auckland a problem. We got a deserved equaliser and looked like we might go on and win it. A draw was probably a fair result.”

West Auckland manager Andy Campbell said; “We were disappointed not to hold on to three points after being in the lead for most of the second half. We’re still just above the relegation battle, and we have another big game this Thursday.”

Seaham Red Star’s great second half of the season continued when they won 2-1 at West Allotment, and they are now up to fifth.

Liam McBryde headed Seaham into the lead from a Jack Walker cross, but Allotment levelled through Paul Kane on the hour. A draw looked a certainty until stoppage time, when Craig Lynch scored from a left wing cross.

Seaham have lost only once in their last ten league games.

Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood said; “It was a great win for us against our bogey side. My players were running on empty after the effort they put in against Morpeth two days before. However we just about deserved the three points. West Allotment will be fine, they worked their socks off.”

Durham City still have hope of avoiding the drop after they came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Newcastle Benfield, who finished with nine men.

Josh Scott headed Benfield into a fourth minute lead, but Durham equalised just before half time through Sam Norris, scoring from the rebound after his penalty was saved by Andy Grainger.

Paul Brayson put Benfield into the lead at the start of the second half, and then he set up Dean Walker to score the third.

Durham pulled a goal back through a Norris penalty for which Dan Taylor was dismissed, and Mark Bertram levelled with six minutes left. Matthew Cornish was shown a late red card for dissent.

Durham manager Chris Moore said; “It was a good comeback from 3-1 down and we did very well considering that we had no fit centre halves.

“At 1-1 we looked to be the team to go on and win, but two quick goals gave us a lot to do. Fair play for getting back into it, but we feel that we should be winning games that we dominate like that.”

Newcastle Benfield joint manager Mark Convery said; “The referee was a disgrace and single-handed lost the game for us. He gave two penalties and sent two players off for their reactions.”

In the second division, Billingham Synthonia are now almost out of the promotion race after they were beaten 2-0 at home by Team Northumbria.

The visitors took the lead when Ben Dibb-Fuller scored from a left wing cross, and just on half time David Dormand headed a second.

Synners remain fourth one point behind third placed Chester-le-Street having played two games more and only have two games remaining.

Billingham Synthonia manager Conrad Hillerby said; “We weren’t good enough and as a club we have reached our level this season. We will improve and push on for promotion next season with more experience and quality.”

Hebburn won 5-0 at Willington, with goals by Marc Costello, Craig Malley (2), Kyle Morris and an own goal.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “A nice win set us up for Tuesday’s derby against South Shields.”

Willington manager Gary Innes said; “I’m very disappointed.”

Stokesley are now guaranteed bottom spot and relegation after they were beaten 5-1 at Alnwick, with player-manager Craig Winter also sent off.

Dale Kennedy (2), Jordan Miller and Dominic Schiavetta (2). Owen Armstrong scored Stokesley’s consolation.

Stokesley manager Craig Winter said; “It was a comedy show from the officials. Worst ref in the league by a country mile. Fair play to the 11 young lads who made the delayed three hour journey. We dominated the game, but mistakes and officials ruined the game.”