West Auckland knocked Morpeth out of the title race when they won 3-1 at Craik Park last night.

Morpeth took the lead through Dale Pearson, but Adam Burnicle equalised when he picked up a Tommy Marron pass and lobbed the keeper.

West went in front before half time through Ross Gardner from a Callum Hassan pass, and Hassan made it 3-1 from the edge of the area.

Only Marske can now catch Shildon, who need two wins from four games to win the league.

Relegated Norton scored twice in the dying minutes to salvage a 3-3 draw with Washington.

Norton took the lead when Ryu Williamson crossed for Phil Caley to score from a few yards, then keeper Carl Robinson saved a penalty by Mark Davison.

Washington levelled on the hour when Davison ran through the Norton defence and scored from the edge of the box. Davison and Joe Walton put Washington in control with five minutes left, but Caley pulled a goal back on 86 minutes, and in stoppage time Thibault Charmey equalised.

Newcastle Benfield striker Paul Brayson scored twice for his side in their 4-1 home win over Dunston UTS to give him 34 goals for the season.

In the second division, Esh Winning still aren’t safe from relegation after they were beaten 5-1 at home by Hebburn. Kyle Morris gave Hebburn the lead, but Esh levelled at the start of the second half through an Adam Ward penalty.

Kris Summers put Hebburn back into the lead, then Chris Smith and Glen Hargrave (2) scored further goals.

Crook lost 2-0 at Heaton Stannington, Adam Rowntree scoring both goals for the home side. Crook played with ten men for all 90 minutes because a car full of players broke down on the way to the game.