Shildon’s hopes of regaining the title suffered a blow last night when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Morpeth.

Shildon had the better of the early chances. Adam Burnicle had an effort and Lewis Wing went close twice, Morpeth took the lead after 31 minutes when Liam Henderson finished off a good move. Shildon levelled within a minute through a Matty Robson penalty, but then they gifted Morpeth the lead on 51 minutes when Robson collided with his own keeper Nick Liversedge, giving Sean Taylor a simple tap in.

Liversedge then made a great save to deny Joe Walton a third, but after Billy Greulich-Smith hit the post at the other end, Robson converted a second penalty awarded for handball.

Third bottom Guisborough now have a mountain to climb in order to avoid relegation when they were beaten 5-4 at home by Ashington.

Gary Wood gave Guisborough the lead with a 20 yarder on 26 minutes, but Ashington levelled within a minute when Dale Pearson was fouled and Ben Richardson scored from the spot.

Mason McNeill put Guisborough back in front with a good effort from the edge of the box, but Pearson fired the equaliser.

Ben Harmison then headed Ashington in front, and just on half time Steve Roberts dribbled through to pull Guisborough level.

Guisborough took the lead for the third time in the game on the hour when Connor Smith crossed for Lewis Goldsack to turn and fire home.

But the game turned against Guisborough in the last three minutes. Harmison made it 4-4 in a scramble, then sub Andy Bulford grabbed the winner from a few yards.

South Shields reduced the gap on leaders North Shields to eight points when they won 1-0 at Newcastle Benfield, Louis Story heading the winner with just three minutes left, for their 20th successive win.

Marske United won 2-1 at Washington to consolidate their fifth position. Washington took the lead when Shaun Pickford lobbed Marske keeper Robbie Dean, but the visitors levelled on 53 minutes when Ashley Coffey broke away and crossed for Aaron Ramsbottom to turn home.

Craig Gott then put Marske into the lead from the penalty spot after Coffey was fouled.