A last gasp goal by Kieran Galbraith gave Bishop Auckland three huge points at Seaham Red Star – and set up a showdown with leaders Dunston UTS this Saturday.

Galbraith’s header in the fifth minute of stoppage time kept Bishops in second place, just a point behind the leaders, and above Consett on goal difference.

Bishop Auckland manager Ian Chandler admitted that his team had been below their best and said; “It was our worst performance of the season. Seaham were the better team for the majority of the game, and we had a few spells but not enough to be honest. Yet we dug deep and pinched the victory with the last touch of the game -- a great header from Kieran won it for us. There were some great scenes at the end of the game.”

Bishops took the lead after 9 minutes when Andy Johnson crossed low for Chris Winn to score from a few yards, but Seaham came back and created some good chances, with keeper Nick Liversedge having to be at his best to deny them.

But Seaham levelled on 64 minutes through Dan Wilson at the second attempt, and they missed four good chances to win it before Galbraith headed the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Shildon, meanwhile, couldn’t do Bishops a favour as they went down 1-0 at leaders Dunston UTS. Mark Fitzpatrick scoring the goal on the hour.

It was only Shildon’s second defeat in their last eight matches, and manager Danny Moore said; “I was really pleased with the performance and we deserved at least a draw.”

Newton Aycliffe’s new manager Colin Stromsoy celebrated victory in his first game in charge when they won 1-0 at West Auckland, to lift them out of the bottom four.

The game was decided by a Josh Home-Jackson goal midway through the second half, and West Auckland manager Gary Forrest said; “In 20 years of management I thought I had seen it all until Saturday. The first time I have seen a team lose when the opposition have not had a single shot.

“Credit to Aycliffe, they worked hard, and the two centre halves were excellent but that's definitely a first for me.”

Stromsoy, who was appointed just three days before the game, said; “The plan was not to get beat and to be competitive, and the players responded very well.

“I was very pleased with their resilience, attitude and desire. Our defending was excellent, and our players were fantastic to a man.”

In the other first division games, Consett won 2-0 at Ryhope CW, while seventh placed Hebburn were held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle Benfield.

Whickham climbed up to third bottom after easily beating Ashington 5-0. North Shields are fourth after a 3-1 win over bottom club Penrith, while Sunderland RCA won 3-2 at Whitley Bay.

In the second division, Chester-le-Street are up to third after drawing 2-2 with West Allotment.

However, they were far from convincing even though they led 2-0 at half time with goals by Michael Hepplewhite and Kevin Dixon.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “Another Saturday and another poor performance where we didn't get started. But take nothing away from west allotment who were at it from minute 1 and should have won the game comfortably. We weren’t even good enough to be second best. A very poor performance both defensively and offensively and so so fortunate to come away with a point which we didn't deserve.”

Willington’s promotion hopes suffered a severe blow when they were beaten 2-1 at Billingham Synthonia.

They led with a goal by former Synners player Conor Winter, but Synners hit back to win with goals by Will Gowan and Louis Johnson.

Willington are now eleven points behind third place.

Crook Town easily won 4-0 at second bottom Brandon, which puts them into twelfth place.  Liam Jarvie and Jake Petitjean put them 2-0 up at half time, with Daniel Kent scoring twice in the second half.

Crook manager Jamie Tunstall said; “I thought we were poor in the first half so to go in 2-0 up really flattered us. Second half we controlled the game better and managed the conditions well. We’re delighted with another clean sheet and three points.”

Durham’s cause is looking more hopeless at the bottom after losing 3-1 at home to Birtley.

Durham manager Billy Harper said; “It’s a very simple analysis of Saturday's game -- goals win games especially in this league. 14 chances in the game and to score one isn't good enough to continue with these forwards. We had six one on ones with the keeper to beat and scored none. It's my job to change this situation on conversion rates and believe me I will. Birtley had four chances in the game and score three, that's the difference at this level.”

Anthony Chapman scored Durham’s goal when they were already 3-0 down.

Durham are still seven points adrift of second bottom Brandon with thirteen games remaining.

In the other matches, Thornaby stayed firmly in second after beating Bedlington 5-0 away from home, but they’re still eight points behind leaders Billingham Town, who won 1-0 at Northallerton on Friday night.

Washington thumped Easington 5-0, Redcar had a good 4-1 home win over Jarrow, and Heaton Stannington won 1-0 at Ryton and Crawcrook.