Marske United now need just one point from their last three matches for the EBAC Northern League title after they beat North Shields 3-0 at Mount Pleasant last night.

Marske, who have played ten games in the last three weeks, took the lead after 15 minutes when Peter Bulmer scored from a breakaway, then Mikey Roberts won possession on the edge of the Shields area and beat the keeper. James Fairley curled the ball home for the third on 75 minutes, their 100th league goal of the season.

The Seasiders could clinch the title at home to Newcastle Benfield on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Bishop Auckland avoided relegation from the first division because third bottom Jarrow Roofing lost 4-1 at Sunderland RCA.

Roofing took the lead with a goal by Liam Anderson, but then they had keeper Dan Regan dismissed for a foul outside the box. RCA levelled on 63 minutes with a goal by Stephen Callen, and then took the lead with a shot by Dylan Elliott. The RCA added two more in the dying minutes through Michael Charlton and Callen.

Bishops, meanwhile, beat Newcastle Benfield in the League Cup semi final by 4-2 on penalties. Stuart Thompson put Bishops into the lead after 74 minutes, but Richie Slaughter equalised in stoppage time.

In the other semi final, Stockton Town lost 3-1 at home to Dunston UTS for whom Liam Thear scored twice, before Sonni Coleman pulled a goal back with nine minutes left. Thear completed his hat trick in the last minute.

Shildon improved their chances of finishing third in the league when they won 3-1 at Ryhope CW.

Ryhope took the lead early on through James Ellis, but Shildon quickly hit back with an own goal by Ben Riding when the ball rebounded off him after the keeper had saved, then Billy Greulich-Smith headed in a corner. Greulich-Smith then set up Jamie Harwood for a tap in before half time.

In the second division, Willington beat league leaders Blyth AFC with a first half goal by Ryan Cummings. Their keeper, Lewis Graham, also saved a penalty.