BISHOP AUCKLAND dropped to fourth-bottom of the Ebac Northern League First Division when they were hammered 6-1 at Dunston UTS last night.

They have now completed their fixtures, and must hope third-bottom Jarrow Roofing lose one or draw both of their last two fixtures. They are at Sunderland RCA tonight, and at home to Stockton on Saturday.

Bishops got off to a great start when Chris Winn scored with a low shot, but Dunston soon levelled when Michael Hall set up Dale Burrell from a corner.

Dunston took a 2-1 lead on 30 minutes when Jack Elliott set up Mark Fitzpatrick, and then Bishops fell apart in the second half.

Elliott set up Burrell to make it 3-1 on 47 minutes, then Fitzpatrick got the fourth. Burrell scored another from an Elliott pass, before Ben Pollock – the son of former Boro player Jamie – got number six.

Meanwhile, Penrith are safe from relegation after they won 5-0 at Newcastle Benfield, who are at Bishops tonight in the League Cup semi-final.

Marske United are now top of the league on goal difference above Morpeth after they won their local derby 1-0 against Guisborough, their eighth straight game without defeat in the last fortnight. Andrew Stephenson scored for Marske midway through the second half.

Marske have four games left to win the title, while Morpeth only have one.

Newton Aycliffe lost 2-0 at home to Sunderland RCA, for whom Dylan Elliott and Luke Page scored. Aycliffe had Mark wood sent off in the last minute.

In the second division, Darlington RA had a vital win over Ryton and Crawcrook at Brinkburn Road.

They took the lead early on with a goal by Lewis Rees, but were then reduced to ten men when Michael Joseph was red-carded before half time. But they held on to go above Brandon by a point with one game each remaining.

Brandon, meanwhile, lost 3-1 at leaders Blyth after taking an early lead.

Willington had a good 1-0 win at Heaton Stannington thanks to a Conor Winter goal.

Crook drew 2-2 with Jarrow at the Millfield.