Billingham Town lifted their first major trophy when they beat Bishop Auckland in the final of the Durham Challenge Cup at the Archibalds Stadium yesterday.

The Northern League side deserved their victory scoring a goal in each half against a tired Bishops outfit.

After an even start to the game Town took the lead after 43 minutes when Andy Swalwell finished off a good move with a shot which went in off the post.

Bishops had a chance to equalise when Michael Fenwick volleyed over but Town took control as the game went on.

Craig Skelton, Carl Chillingsworth and Stuart Jackson all missed opportunities before Skelton and Tom Jones combined to give David Turner the opportunity to knock the ball at the Bishops keeper.

Delighted Town manager Alan Robinson, said: "It's a great moment for the club because we've lost in the County Cup final before and we've never won the Northern League or the Northern League Cup.

"We've done very well in the competition this season because we've also beaten Spennymoor, Shildon and Brandon.

"Maybe we played Bishops at the right time considering all the matches they've had and the injuries leading up to the game.

"I felt that we weathered the early storm and after 20 minutes I thought we dominated the game especially in the second half.

"I expected them to come out and have a go at us in the second half but they did not really do that and we stayed in control although I always felt that we needed a second goal."

In the UniBond League Spennymoor United improved their play-off hopes with a 2-0 home win over Whitby Town.

They took the lead after 56 minutes when Neal Bishop scored from a Steve Preen cross then two minutes later Paul Talbot opened up the Whitby defence for Andrew Brown to dribble passed two defenders and beat David Campbell in the Whitby goal.

In the Albany Northern League relegated Marske won 2-0 at neighbours Guisborough with goals from Lee Alexander and David Dowd.

* North Shields took a step towards a Wearside League and Cup double when they came from behind to defeat Stokesley SC 3-2 in the final of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup at Ralph Gardner Park yesterday, writes Malcolm Pratt.

Niall Southall and Paul Leech put the visitors in command at the halfway stage but three goals in 23 minutes by Eddie Miller, Roy Gordon and Anthony Robson had the Robins celebrating.

In the Wearside League, New Marske hammered Barnard Castle Glaxo 11-0 courtesy of goals by James Kesterton (5), Jamie May (4), Adam Henry and Jason Hammond.

Windscale sprang a surprise, winning 5-2 at third-top Cleadon SC for whom Peter Brand and Peter Bradley netted. Howard Kirkbride (3) and Matthew Ridley (2) were on target for Windscale.