Newton Aycliffe are still in relegation trouble after they lost 3-2 at home to South Shields in the ENL First Division last night.

Aycliffe took an early lead when Danny Earl beat a defender on the right and slotted the ball past the keeper at the near post, but Shields levelled almost immediately with a 30 yarder from Andrew Thompson that went in off the post.

Shields went 2-1 up in first half stoppage time when Chris Feasey crossed for Jonny Wightman to slot in, but just on the whistle Thom Hinchley scored from a Steven Gibson pass.

There were chances at both ends, and plenty of flying tackles, before Stephen Ramsey scored the winner for second bottom Shields with a cross that sailed over Scott Pocklington’s head into the net with ten minutes left.

Shildon started their backlog of fixtures with an away game at Durham City and lost 1-0 to the home side, who are now virtually safe from relegation. Max Stoker scored the only goal of the game from a cross by Nicholas Allen.

Bishop Auckland picked up their tenth away league win of the season and in turn did Newton Aycliffe a favour when they won 1-0 at third bottom Newcastle Benfield, Andy Johnson scoring the goal after 53 minutes. Dunston won 1-0 at Celtic Nation, Lee McAndrew scoring their goal.

In the second division, Northallerton won their third successive game under new manager Peter Mulcaster when they beat Birtley 2-0, with goals by Colin Anderson and Jonny Burton.

Thornaby are maybe still on the fringe of the relegation scrap after they lost 2-1 at home to Ryton.