Ashington manager Ray Gowan admitted that he couldn't have had a better day when his side thumped Shildon 7-0 in the Albany Northern League.

Gowan was manager of Shildon for over a decade until he left in the autumn, and he said: "I couldn't have written a better script.

"I thought it was a fairly even first half, but once we went 3-0 up, we took over total control. It was a very satisfying day - I think I've got the freedom of Ashington!"

The home side were 2-0 up at half time with goals from Alex Lawson and Jon Sunderland, and they dominated the second half. Lawson and Paul Hogg (two) made it 5-0, then subs Derek Attwell and Alan Hogg added further goals.

Consett are still in relegation trouble after they were beaten 1-0 at Thornaby. Former Darlington full back Simon Shaw was dismissed for Thornaby after 62 minutes for violent conduct, but despite their disadvantage, Jamie Clarke got the winner with a low shot on 71 minutes.

Whitley Bay scored twice in the last nine minutes to win 4-3 at Esh Winning.

Ben Ryan scored from close range to put Whitley in the lead, then Adam Johnston fired in the second on 26 minutes.

Steve Burns pulled one back, then Ross Preston levelled on the hour. Burns put Esh into the lead on 75 minutes, but then Steve Leadbitter equalised from a Leon Ryan pass. And in the last minute, Ryan headed the winner.

In the second division, Marske United won 2-0 at South Shields with goals from Peter Boldison and Glen Wesson.