Shildon stepped closer to the Northern League title with a comfortable 6-1 at Bedlington tonight.

They never looked back once Billy Greulich-Smith gave them the lead in the opening minute following a mistake by the Bedlington keeper, and then Anthony Bell headed the second from a Mattie Robson pass.

Ben Wood then scored twice before half time, with Bell adding another. Marc Doninger added the sixth, before Liam Hudson pulled a late goal back.

Marske stayed in pursuit of Shildon, but they are still 16 points behind after beating Sunderland RCA 3-0. Reece Kelly put them into the lead after 9 minutes, then Glen Butterworth scored the second from twelve yards. Nathan Mulligan got the third from a free kick into the top corner.

Bishop Auckland’s hopes of a top three place suffered a blow when they lost 5-1 at Consett took the lead though Dan Hawkins from a Danny Craggs corner, then Luke Sullivan headed the second from a long ball. Andy Johnson pounced on a mistake to pull a goal back – his 37th league goal of the season – but Sullivan beat two defenders and fired home his 100th goal for Consett. Calvin Smith fired the fourth, with Lewis Gibbons getting another from 25 yards.

Newton Aycliffe lost 4-3 at Penrith. Aycliffe took the lead with a John Campbell penalty following a foul on Alan Harrison, but Jamie Hope levelled for Penrith. Shaun Gardiner pounced on a mistake to put Penrith into the lead, but Campbell levelled with a 40 yarder. Hope put Penrith into the lead, with Gardiner adding another for 4-2. Jordan Laidler pulled a late goal back, Whitley Bay beat West Allotment 3-1, which means that they are now safe from relegation. Adam Shanks scored twice for Whitley, giving him 22 league goals for the season.

In the second division, Ryhope CW are promoted after they beat Whickham 4-1. Steven Aiston gave Whickham the lead on 55 minutes, but Ryhope hit back with a goal by Nathan O’Neill. Josh Home-Jackson made it 2-1 to Ryhope, with Conor Winter and Matty Weirs scoring twice late in the game.

Chester-le-Street are also promoted after they beat Brandon 2-1, Scott Heslop scoring the winner after Vince Ellis had cancelled out Aaron Reynolds’ opener for Chester.

Thornaby crushed bottom club Stokesley 9-1, Gary Mitchell scoring four of them.