Easington COLLIERY won the match of the day at New Marske to stretch their lead at the top to six points.

A close result was anticipated and at the end of a hardfought encounter the Colliers celebrated, winning 3-2.

Adam McGuinness fired past New Marske goalkeeper Justin Hutchinson for the opener.

Midway through the second period, Chris Tarn drove home and with only three minutes remaining Michael Mackin’s penalty ensured a frenetic finale, but Easington held on.

Ashbrooke Belford House put their recent poor form behind them at Hartlepool.

Martin Deacon opened the scoring before Mark Nicholson was sent off on the stroke of half-time.

Within a minute of the restart Michael Charlton doubled Ashbrooke’s lead.

Pools pulled one back through a Carl Anderson volley and had the chance to level from the spot but goalkeeper Brett Wilson turned Shaun Ross’s kick on to the post and then twice denied Ross with saves when he followed up.

With ten minutes remaining, Peter Benson chipped Pool’s goalkeeper and there was no way back for the home side despite Ashbrooke’s Michael Melmore being redcarded a minute from time.

Redcar Athletic suffered a third consecutive defeat when second-bottom Boldon CA won 2-1.

The Seasiders went behind on the hour with a looping header from Michael Meek.

James Kesterton levelled with a powerful header but three minutes from the end Boldon were awarded a penalty which Shaun Reay converted.

Kirkbymoorside hit Prudhoe Town for double figures despite conceding a 12thminute lead to Gavin Lisle.

From then on, however, it was one-way traffic and before the interval Alex Strickland rifled a hat-trick, Rob McDermid was also on target and Ryan Cooper failed with a penalty.

There was no respite for the Tynesiders in the second period.

McDermid completed his hat-trick, Uyi Ehima bagged a brace, Strickland took his tally to four and Cooper atoned for his earlier miss.

Houghton Town faced an uphill battle when they leaked four goals in the opening 26 minutes at Windscale, whose marksmen were Alan Blair (2), Dean Rogers and Laurie Black.

Within two minutes of the restart Mark Catchside reduced the arrears and he was again on target with a 72ndminute penalty.

Inspired by the second success, Houghton dominated for ten minutes but Windscale soaked up the pressure and in the end were comfortable winners.