Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison admitted that he was “speechless” as his team produced a super show to beat Esh Winning 5-0 on Saturday and keep their Second Division promotion hopes alive.

Even though they have played more games than the other promotion challengers, the RA are right in the thick of the promotion battle, and on this form and with leaders Team Northumbria coming up next week, then they might still be looking forward to first division football next season. They are currently in fourth place, five points from the promotion spots.

The RA thumped Gillford Park with another good performance in midweek, and Harrison said: “I’m speechless again today. We were so good first half that I was delighted. Everything clicked. We had six players missing and to play like that is credit to the players and their development over the last six months.”

Jimmy Muir gave them the perfect start when he cut in from the wing and fired into the bottom corner, then Steve Allison headed in a cross from Fred Huscroft.

Michael Barnett set up the third for Steve Cheeseman to score with a right foot shot, and before half time Cheeseman scored the fourth after Huscroft’s free kick was saved. Huscroft headed the fifth from a free kick in the second half.

Nearly all of the other second division results went in Darlington RA’s favour.

Leaders Team Northumbria were held to a goalless draw at home by West Allotment, the closest either side coming to scoring was when TN hit the bar in the second half.

TN are three points clear of Hebburn, who easily beat Whickham 4-0.

Liam McBryde volleyed them in front after 28 minutes, and he made it 2-0 from a Paul King pass after 65 minutes, his 29th league goal of the season.

Paul Gardiner made it 3-0 with a first time shot, and eight minutes from the end, Gardiner set up Stephen Foster to score from ten yards. Hebburn also hit the woodwork three times.

Team Northumbria manager Paul Johnson said: “We’re disappointed that we didn’t get the three points from a game we dominated against a team that turned up to defend. All credit to West Allotment for working hard for a point, but credit to their keeper for saving them a number of times in the second half. But for us it’s another point to winning the league and with the challenging teams also drawing, it’s another game ticked off.”

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said: “We got a great reaction from the lads after Tuesday’s defeat and we really deserved the point. We had the better chances in the first half and they did in the second half. Every one of our lads was excellent.”

Morpeth dropped from second to third after they drew 1-1 with Gillford Park at Craik Park. Steven Anderson gave Morpeth the lead, but Dean Douglas levelled for Gillford.

Birtley are still in touch in fifth place after just scraping past second bottom Horden by 1-0, John Martin scoring the only goal of the game six minutes after half time. Horden manager Peter Mulcaster said: "I'm very disappointed as we deserved a draw. We had a goal disallowed in the last minute."

Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: “On a hard pitch, they pushed us all the way, without our keeper having a shot to save. I was relieved to win in the end.”

Easington’s hold on a second division place is loosening after they lost 3-1 at home to Northallerton. Northallerton went two goals up through Nathan Hemingborough and Stephen Butterworth, then Easington had defender Paul Moss sent off for dissent. David Paul pulled a goal back, before Butterworth headed the third before half time. Easington official Andy Colledge had to play because some players didn’t turn up.

Easington manager Paul Adamson said: “A big decision went against us again. We had a stonewall penalty turned down in which they would have had a man sent off, then we go down to ten men for disputing it. We’ve got a massive seven games coming up now.”

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “Three more points and we move on to Hebburn on Saturday. “ Brandon beat Alnwick 2-1 at the Welfare ground. Michael Nichol put Brandon into the lead from 40 yards, and after Nichol missed a penalty and Alnwick’s Neil Catlow was red carded, Chris Moffet levelled for Alnwick. However, Mark Ferguson scored the winner for Brandon with five minutes left.

Crook were held to a goalless draw at home by improving Chester-le-Street.

Chester-le-Street manager Anth Smith said: “It was a tough battle. Crook shaded a scrappy first half. In the second half the game opened right up and flowed from end to end with both teams creating chances and having opportunities to steal the points.”

Ryton drew 1-1 at home with Thornaby. Paul Kane gave Ryton the lead, but Danny Lofts equalised for the visitors.

Ryton manager Dave Hagan said: “It was a typical end of season game. Paul Kane struck a great goal, but on a hot day, a draw was a fair result.”

Thornaby manager Ray Morton said: “It was a well deserved point and we could have won. Both teams had a few chances. It was a well taken goal by Danny Lofts. I’m very happy with the performance on a poor pitch.”

North Shields’ chances of promotion have definitely gone after they lost 2-1 at Whitehaven. Keith Douglas gave Shields the lead, but Whitehaven hit back through Stuart Shaw and Leigh Dunn in the last ten minutes.