skilltrainingltd Northern Lg

Shildon have an FA Vase quarter-final tie against Whitley Bay this week, but Forrest has plenty of thinking to do about his defence.

“It might not have been our normal back four on the field, but all three goals we conceded were a joke, a comedy of errors,”

he said.

“I told the players that they shouldn’t be going into the biggest game of their lives on the back of a performance like that. We’ve got a league game coming up on Tuesday, so hopefully they can put it right then.”

Shildon started the game well enough, with Warren Byrne firing under the keeper for the opener, but the Railwaymen carelessly lost possession for Allotment’s equaliser, Dean Walker scoring.

Byrne restored Shildon’s lead from the penalty spot on 31 minutes, but then hesitation in dealing with a long ball led to Paul Gardner equalising.

Andy Johnson put Shildon into the lead for the third time after 44 minutes, but then Shildon keeper Keith Finch scuffed a clearance and Ian Dunn equalised again.

Whitley Bay, meanwhile, weren’t convincing as they beat bottom club Morpeth 2-1 at Hillheads.

They took the lead when a long-range shot by Chris Moore went through the Morpeth keeper’s hands, then Adam Johnston made it 2-0 after 26 minutes from the penalty spot.

Morpeth pulled a goal back through Marc Walton midway through the second half and caused a few late scares for Whitley, who are in action tonight against West Allotment, watched by Shildon boss Forrest.

Dunston are still hot on the heels of the leaders in third place with a 3-1 win over thirdbottom Horden. After a goalless first half, Dunston took the lead when Steve Preen set up Neil Tarrant, but Horden levelled when Chris Dunwell headed in a free-kick.

Dunston regained their lead when Fergal Harkin headed in a Ben Cattanach cross, then Harkin fired the third.

Norton, who have a Vase quarter-final at Barwell on Saturday, finished the game at West Auckland with nine men, but managed to hold on to win 3-2.

Norton scored twice within the first six minutes, Steve Larkin and Sonny Andrews on target. West hit back on 28 minutes when Steve Brown scored from the edge of the area, but Norton went 3-1 up on the half-hour when Clarke’s effort took a deflection and wrong-footed West keeper David Lanning.

Moffat pulled a goal back with a header, and in the second half West were well on top, but couldn’t equalise.

Norton were reduced to ten men when Dale Mulligan was dismissed for two yellows, and they finished the game with nine men because of injuries.

Esh Winning went six points clear of the relegation zone by beating Ashington 1- 0 at Waterhouses with a late goal.

Esh looked as if they would have to settle for a point until Andrew Middlemiss crossed for sub John Ryan to fire home.

Ashington have signed striker Alex Benjamin, who has scored 19 league goals this season, from Ryton.

Billingham Town collected a valuable point in a 2-2 draw at Consett to put them seven points clear of the relegation zone.

They went 2-0 up with similar goals – shots by Steve Flockett which were parried by Consett keeper Dan Staples, only for first Louis Whensley and then Jonathan French to score from the rebounds.

Consett pulled one back through Gavin Parkin, and just after the break Gary Ormston levelled from a free-kick.

Consett hit the woodwork through Steve Huggins, Ormston and David Pounder.

Billingham Synthonia drew 1-1 with Ryton at Central Avenue. Ryton’s Kevin Dixon scored with a curler from the edge of the box on 38 minutes, but Synners levelled through a Jamie Magowan penalty after Colin Iley was fouled.

Tow Law thought they’d got a point at Bedlington going into the last minute, but the home side scored twice in stoppage time. Anthony Shandran scored his 13th goal of the season from a Tony Chapman cross, and well-travelled former Darlington, Newcastle and Hartlepool midfielder Stuart Elliott fired into the top corner for the second.

In the second division, leaders Sunderland RCA beat Guisborough 3-0, scoring all their goals in the opening 15 minutes. Christoph Ascherl put RCA ahead after just three minutes, then Mark Davison made it 2-0 with an overhead kick for his 20th goal of the season. Scott Richards added a third from the edge of the box.

A last-minute winner crowned a Jarrow Roofing comeback from two goals down to beat Thornaby 3-2.

Stephen Hodgson scored twice to give Thornaby a surprise lead, but Shaun Reay hit back with goals after 35 and 61 minutes. When it seemed that Thornaby would hold on for a point, Tony Thirkell got the winner.

Marske United came from behind to win 2-1 at Northallerton to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games.

The home side had much the better of the first half and took the lead when James Bowman scored from a rebound, and they could have scored more goals before Marske levelled when Dom Gamble crossed for Benn Thompson to head in.

Marske were much better in the second half and scored the winner through Rob Jones from a pass by Tommy Raw.

North Shields slipped up in a 3-3 draw at third-bottom Hebburn.

John Amos twice put Shields into the lead, only for Jamie Elrington and Michael Armstrong to equalise.

Andy Bowman put Shields 3-2 in the lead, but Hebburn snatched a point at the death through a Colin Nesbitt penalty.

The game between the two bottom clubs, Birtley and Darlington RA, ended 2-2.

Birtley twice took the lead through Richard Latimer, but the RA hit back through John McKie and Dan Lerner, to make sure they stayed second from bottom.

Newton Aycliffe came from behind to beat Brandon 2-1 at Moore Lane.

Brandon took the lead when Steve Fothergill pounced on a mistake and ran through to score, but Aycliffe levelled just before half-time when Stuart Owen was fouled and Dion Raitt tucked away the penalty.

Aycliffe had a better second half and Chase McMullen scored the winner with a low shot from a Paul Broom pass.

Durham Challenge Cup semi finalists Crook lost 3-1 at Seaham Red Star. Anthony Hume put Seaham into the lead, only for Jason Brazauskas to equalise before half time.

However, Jordan Hugill and Craig Toman scored for Seaham in the second half.

The games at Newcastle Benfield, Penrith and Gillford Park were postponed because of frozen pitches, while Stokesley’s home game with Whickham was postponed because of the death of former Whickham secretary and current treasurer John Farrey, who had been involved with the club for 30 years.