The Albany Northern League: Newcastle Benfield Saints capped a remarkable first season in the league by clinching the last promotion place on Saturday - and they could even go on and win the Second Division title.

Saints, who were promoted from the Northern Alliance last season, defeated their only rival for third place, Washington Nissan, by 2-1, but it is so tight at the top of the league with just three points covering the leading trio, that they might even win the league.

General manager Bob Morton said: "We couldn't have asked for a better season, and we think it's quite an achievement to be promoted in successive seasons - nobody has ever done that from the Northern Alliance.

"We're happy for promotion, but we could win the title, if Ashington lose another match and we win both of ours."

Benfield's nerve was tested, because Nissan took the lead after 12 minutes through Paul Moss from a free-kick.

But Craig Melrose levelled with a shot from the edge of the box, then Stephen Young scored his 29th league goal of the season when he fired past Nissan keeper Chris Errington.

The only issue remaining in the league is the runners-up spot in the First Division, after both Durham and Bedlington both won away from home.

Durham won 2-0 away from home at Penrith, but finished the game without striker Micky Dunwell, who suffered a broken ankle.

Durham took a half-time lead through a Glen Robson header, and after Dunwell broke his ankle, sealed all three points when Stephen Stewart scored from a Craig Lake cross.

Durham have brought their last home game forward with Marske to Tuesday night.

Bedlington stayed in contention thanks to a last minute winner for a 4-3 win at Chester-le-Street.

After Bedlington's Robbie Cockburn hit the bar, John Milner fired Bedlington into the lead from the edge of the area, but Chester hit back.

Martin Bowes scored from the spot after Gary Andison was fouled, then Kraig Wilkinson levelled with a low shot.

Roy Allen equalised for Bedlington from the spot after 55 minutes, then Anthony Chapman made it 3-2 from close range.

Gary Shields seemed to have earned a point for Chester, but Andy Bowes scrambled the winner deep into stoppage time.

Bedlington have now scored 100 goals for the season.

League champions Dunston received the championship trophy before their game with Peterlee and beat them 2-0.

Peterlee had much the better of the early play, but Dunston took the lead when David Southern crossed for Richie Pitt, who won the league with Brandon last season, to score.

Paul Hogg hit the bar for Dunston and Scott Green missed a sitter for Peterlee before Stephen Brown dribbled through for the second five minutes from the end.

Peterlee are guaranteed a top eight slot, a good performance considering that they escaped relegation on the last day of last season.

Billingham Town made sure that they will finish above their neighbours Synthonia with a 4-0 home win over Horden.

Stuart Jackson fired them into the lead with a 30 yard effort in the first half, and then after the break Tom Jones broke away and set up Carl Chillingsworth to score from close range.

Lee Ure made it 3-0 from a Jason Ainsley pass, and Ainsley set up Chillingsworth to score the fourth in the last minute.

Synners, meanwhile, lost 3-1 at Morpeth.

Keeper Stephen Aziz saved a penalty from Colin Lawton in the first half, but Paul Beavers managed to beat the keeper from close range just before half time.

Lawton added the second just after half time, with Mark Fenwick scoring the third. David Wells got Synners' consolation from the spot.

Brandon beat ten man Tow Law 3-0, to secure a top half finish. Lawyers had Carl Beasley dismissed for two bookable offences early in the game, and last season's champions took advantage.

John Ewart cut in from the right and fired Brandon into the lead before half-time, and in the second half Brandon made their man advantage count.

Anth McStea dribbled in from the left and curled a shot into the top corner, then Stephen Flockett broke clear for the third.

Lawyers cannot finish any better than sixth bottom.

Jarrow Roofing dropped to sixth place after they were beaten 3-2 at Thornaby, who won for the first time in five matches.

Roofing actually led 2-0 at one stage with goals from Gavin Cogden and Paul Chow, but Thornaby hit back in the second-half. Jamie Clark levelled on the hour, and Andy Banks equalised. Banks then got the winner with five minutes left.

West Auckland moved up three places to finish 14th with a 3-2 home win over Guisborough.

The visitors led with an early goal from John Ryan, but then Steve Ritchie missed a penalty.

Brian Fairhurst levelled from the spot for West, his 13th league goal of the season, but Guisborough went back in front thanks to a Stephen Bell header.

Dion Raitt equalised again early in the second half, then Jonathan Milroy got the winner from the edge of the area.

Washington made sure that they can't finish bottom after they beat Marske United 1-0, Tony Hanson scoring their goal.

In the second division, leaders Ashington might have to wait for the title after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Northallerton. Alan Hogg scored his 29th league goal of the season to put Ashington into the lead, but Anthony Roberts levelled for Northallerton from the spot late in the game.

Northallerton can still finish in the top six.

Newcastle Blue Star moved into fourth place after they thumped Easington 5-1. Lee Ludlow took his league goals tally for the season to 31, with two, while John Ludlow (two) and Micky Fenwick got the others. Michael Diciccio gave Easington an early lead.

Shotton have still got a chance of climbing off the bottom after they drew 2-2 at Willington, but they need Easington to lose in midweek against Northallerton, and they have to beat Seaham Red Star next Saturday.

Steve Baker and Chris Gillespie gave Willington a two goal lead, but Paul Bond hit back with two for Shotton.

Shotton have rescinded their resignation from the league, but even though it is rumoured that one Second Division club might be suspended for not having a ground that is up to standard, Shotton might still be relegated because it is understood they haven't asked the league to carry out an inspection

Crook dropped a place to sixth bottom after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Alnwick, Michael Dixon scoring the winner late in the game.

Seaham Red Star moved up a place after they drew 3-3 at Prudhoe. Chris Feasey, Andy Lumsden and an own goal were Seaham's scorers, with Gary McDonald scoring a hat-trick for Prudhoe.

Norton are still third-bottom but safe after they were beaten 3-1 at home by South Shields, their first win in 13 matches. Craig Tate scored a hat-trick for Shields, while John Harland scored late on for Norton.

Evenwood finished their fixtures by losing 1-0 at Hebburn, whose goal was scored by Mark Diamond late in the game.

Evenwood have won just twice since the turn of the year.