Ainsley graciously hands the title to Darlo

Moors have won the title for the last three seasons, and with their current points tally would have won a fourth – but instead Darlington have set a new league record to pip them and clinch promotion to the Evostik League.

“Darlington have been magnificent since the turn of the year, they dropped only two points in fourteen matches after they beat us in January,” said Ainsley.

“Martin Gray has done a tremendous job since he took over, when you consider that he didn’t have any players at all.

“To reach 119 points is a great achievement, and fair credit to them. I will never forget the three games we had against them as the atmosphere was unprecedented at this level of football and a great experience. There is a lot of respect between the clubs, we have built up a healthy rivalry, and I wish them well for next season.”

Ainsley’s attention is now turning to the Vase final at Wembley against Tunbridge Wells this Saturday.

“I thought that we were woeful in the first half against Durham. I know that I rested a few players, but that doesn’t prevent those who did play from working hard and passing the ball about. There was no energy in the first half. I think that cements one or two opinions I have about the team for this Saturday.”

City stunned Moors by taking the lead after 31 minutes when Max Stoker beat Moors keeper David Knight, but Moors levelled just after half time when Chris Moore crossed for little Anthony peacock to head home.

Durham regained the lead on 58 minutes when Paul Dixon beat Knight to a through ball and tapped into an empty net, but Moors again levelled on the hour when Peacock threaded the ball through for Andrew Stephenson to score.

And Moors got the winner on 75 minutes when Stephenson pulled the ball back for Joe Walton to score.

Durham manager Adam Furness said: "It was a very frutrating afternoon. Having led twice, it was bitterly disappointing tjo come away with nothing but our second half display wasn't good enough. We defended too deep, invited pressure and allowed good players too much time and space."

Darlington beat Team Northumbria 3-1 to win the title, Amar Purewal scoring twice in the second half.

For match report and reaction, read the Darlington FC section on the Northern Echo website.

TN manager Paul Johnson said: "I thought we defended well for the part of the game but because we spent so much time defending, we ended up so deep we couldn't really get our game going. We had spells where we threatened, but we just didn't have enough left in the final third and when we threw an extra body forward, we got stung on the counter which killed the game off. Congratulations to Darlington, they were the better team and deservedly won the game and league which in a division so strong is an excellent achievement."

Whitley Bay need two points from two games to be assured of third place after they won 3-0 at Marske United.

Lee Kerr gave them an 8th minute lead from the spot, then James Fairley soon tapped in another after 24 minutes. Kerr scored with a good shot on the turn soon after half time, as Whitley took full control.

Marske manager Ted Watts said: “It’s a good job RCA have lost six points. We will be lucky to win another game. There was no heart – there’s a massive rebuild in the summer.”

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: “It was a comfortable game, with Lee Kerr on top form and well supported by Lee-Paul Scroggins.”

Sunderland RCA’s woes continued when they lost 3-1 at home to Billingham Synthonia, a result that leaves them five points adrift of safety with just two games left.

Synners had three penalties in the game, but only scored two of them. They got off to a great start after 5 minutes when RCA defender Brian Close put a Nathan Jameson cross through his own goal, and then Danny Newby made it 2-0 from the spot five minutes later.

The RCA pulled a goal back through Kevin Gordon at the second attempt on 38 minutes, and missed chances for an equaliser. In the dying minutes, Newby fired a second penalty wide for a foul on Aiden Cattermole, and in stoppage time. Steve Huggins took over the responsibilities when Synners were awarded a third and he converted it.

Billingham Synthonia assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “We played some great football in the first half hour of the game, but it became a very scrappy after that. It was nice to get three points though and nice to do our neighbours a favour.”

West Auckland failed to beat already relegated South Shields , and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. The partnership of John Campbell and Mattie Moffat clicked yet again when Moffat scored from Campbell’s corner, but West missed chances to seal the game and paid the penalty when David Bulman levelled near the end.

Moffat has now scored 35 league goals for the season.

West Auckland manager Peter Dixon said: “I’m happy with the performance, but we didn’t take our chances. We are very flat at the moment. I can’t wait for the season to end.”

Billingham Town lost 5-2 at home to Bishop Auckland to leave them still in the relegation mix.

Town took the lead with a Christian Selby penalty after Josh McDonald was brought down, but the game turned against them when former Bishop striker Danny Brunskill was sent off for violent conduct.

Jamie Harwood levelled for Bishops from close range, but Harrison Davies restored Town’s lead on the hour. Andy Johnson went straight down the other end and scored from a Craig Hodgson pass for the equaliser.

Harwood broke though to beat Danny Molyneux for 3-2, then Johnson dispossessed a defender to score the fourth. He completed his hat trick in the last minute to give him 36 league goals for the season, and put him top of the first division scoring charts.

Town’s league games have now involved 200 goals this season.

Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett said: “We played really well first half and their keeper pulled off two good saves. But we got Bruno sent off and it changed the game. I don’t think the scoreline tells the story but that’s what happens when you’re down there. We move on to Monday, massive game for the lads at Shildon.”

Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers said: “We played into the wind in the first half and didn’t really get going, but we took over in the second half.”

Shildon drew 2-2 at Penrith, but they conceded a late goal. Richard Faustino put Penrith into the lead after 6 minutes , but Shildon levelled through Jamie Owens from a Craig Hughes long throw. The same move worked again for Owens to make it 2-1 before half time, and Shildon seemed to have the game won when Ben Jackson was red carded for Penrith. But their defending let them down and right at the end, Stephen Rigg levelled for Penrith. Shildon have still got eight games remaining.

Shildon manager Gary Forrest said: “That performance was just not good enough. The workrate wasn’t to the level that this club expects. Our two oldest players, Chris McCabe and Mark Hudson covered the most ground, and you don’t hear them using tiredness as an excuse. If players not capable of working at the level we set then no place for them at the club.”

Newton Aycliffe finished their fixtures with a good 3-1 home win over Guisborough, which means that they will finish above the bottom six.

They took the lead on 16 minutes when Paul Broom set up Danny Lambert to open the scoring, then Danny Earl finished off a good move for the second. Mikey Roberts hit the post with a penalty. Guisborough pulled a goal back through Paul Callan from a corner, but Danny Earl made the points safe with a neat lob over the keeper.

Consett have had some excellent results in the second half of the season, and they are now ninth after a good 1-0 home win over Dunston UTS, Michael Mackay providing a great finish to a cross from Steve Aiston after 73 minutes.

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said: It was a tight game with limited chances. Not a bad result with nine players missing.”

Dunston manager Billy Irwin said: “We missed some good chances in the first half, and didn’t create much in the second half. We should still have got something out of the game.”

Ashington beat Norton 4-1. Gareth Bainbridge put Ashington into the lead, but relegated Norton replied just on half time with a goal by Anthony Hume.

They took full control in the second half, and scored through James Taylor, Glen Taylor and Andrew Johnson.

Ashington assistant manager Perry Briggs said: “After a particularly poor performance in the first half, there were one or two words said at half time, and we were much better in the second half. Once we went 2-1 up, it was one way traffic.”

Norton manager Andy Campbell said: “We started well, but just couldn’t score. It was the story of a frustrating season. We probably deserved to lose, but 4-1 flattered them.”

Crook Town kept cool and won the second division championship courtesy of a 1-0 away win at Thornaby.

Former Thornaby player Alex Marshall made a strong powerful run that took him through the Thornaby defence, and he slotted the ball past the advancing keeper after 59 minutes.

There were one or two nervous moments for Crook after that, but they kept their eighth clean sheet of the season to guarantee the title.

Crook manager Gary Pearson said: “It was great to finish off the season with the title.”

Thornaby manager Neil Radigan said: “We competed well and should have been in front at half time. The second half was a bit different, they came at us but our defence was outstanding. I think we deserved a point but they showed why they are champions”

Darlington RA’s promotion hopes were ended when they lost 3-0 at Ryhope CW, who will finish second in the table but could then be forcibly demoted.

Jonny Butler got on the scoresheet to give him 52 goals for the season, with Chris Winn chipping in with his 39th. Martin Metcalfe scored third.

The league has confirmed that the FA have told them that fourth top will be promoted if Ryhope CW are denied promotion, so that means Jarrow Roofing and Morpeth are promoted.

Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison said: “We played great football today and a couple of errors cost us. But it’s been another great season, the players have great attitude and to finish fifth in consecutive seasons is very fulfilling.”

Ryhope CW manager Martin Swales said: “We’re going to keep going right to the end.”

Jarrow Roofing are going all out for third place just in case, and they crushed Brandon 10-1 away from home, the highest away win in the division this season.

Striker Liam McBryde was in unstoppable mood, running riot with seven goals, the most by an individual in the league for several years, possibly since Roy Allen for West Auckland a decade ago. Anthony Myers, David Carson and Chris Hepple were the other scorers.

Roofing also have the highest home win in the division this season, 10-2 over Horden.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said: “We played well and got the goals that we’ve been missing of late.”

Morpeth were also amongst the goals, putting six past Northallerton. Micky Chilton scored twice to give him 38 league goals for the season, with Stephen Anderson, Ashley McAlpine, Alex Benjamin and Damon Mullen also getting on the scoresheet.

Northallerton manager Peter Mulcaster said: “It was a very poor performance, and I’m very dissatisfied with some players. But I have to say Morpeth were head and shoulders above us.”

Morpeth and Roofing are level on points, and are separated by only one goal on goal difference.

Horden are now assured of bottom place, after they could only draw 2-2 at Whitehaven, but they could also be reprieved if one of the clubs coming up isn’t up to standard—and at the moment, Heaton Stannington don’t have floodlights.

Agonisingly, Horden led 2-1 at half time with two goals by Peter Crawford with Matty Tymon replying, and Horden still had a chance of finishing outside the relegation zone until Danny Hodgson equalised for Whitehaven right at the end.

Alnwick made sure that they finish in second bottom spot and a possible reprieve because of Ryhope Cw’s situation, by beating Washington 5-2 in their 1000th league game.

Jon Colley scored a hat trick for Alnwick, with Kieran Hogg and Tony Brown scoring their other goals. Dean Walker scored twice for Washington.

Third bottom Esh Winning will be relieved that they had the points in the bag, because they were hammered 6-0 at West Allotment, conceding five of them in the first half. David Dormand ran riot for Allotment with four, with Mark Allen and Shaun Reid getting the others.

Esh Winning assistant manager Ray Morton said: “The first half was awful. Extremely poor defending but we changed the system at half time and two subs helped us to a much improved second half. We’re grateful for the 2-2 at Whitehaven v Horden.”

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said: “We had a fantastic first half and were 5-0 up. We took our foot off the gas in the second half, but we are doing well at the minute.”

Tow Law beat Birtley 2-0, with goals by Luke Parkinson and Tom Watkinson.

Tow Law manager Gary Anderson said: “It was a scrappy game but a deserved win. At the start of the season we would have lost but the result showed how far we have come.”

Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: “We can’t score, and lacked key players. A mistake gave them their goal, then we missed a great chance late on. The second came with seconds left. We need to regroup in the summer.”

Chester-le-Street lost 2-0 at home to North Shields, for whom Dean Holmes and Dan Patterson scored.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said: “It was end of season game that North Shields dominated. We lacked any cutting edge and Shields thoroughly deserved the win.”

Ryton and Crawcrook beat Seaham Red Star by the best of seven.