Northallerton Town consolidated third place in division two with a comfortable victory at mid-table Alnwick Town last Saturday.

Manager Paul Burton is now looking for his side to continue their recent good form, which has seen them win 12, draw one and lose one of their last 14 league games.

He said: "We have all the top three sides in the league to play at home, while we have to visit all the bottom clubs in our remaining 14 games, so our destiny is in our own hands."

Town made a good start at Alnwick and they had the ball in the back of the net after just eight minutes, but Stuart Jackson's header was ruled out for a push on a defender.

The game really came to life in the 15th minute when a great drive from Craig Skelton was brilliantly blocked on the line by home keeper Wayne Belisle. But the keeper couldn't hold the ball and the rebound came back to Simon Colligan, whose goal-bound shot was handled on the line by full back Neil Catlow.

The defender was promptly sent off, but the resulting penalty taken by Stephen Cochrane was well saved by Belisle.

Alnwick had a great chance to take the lead in the 21st minute when Gary Peterson was put clear through on goal by a superb forward pass from Jason Belisle, but Town keeper Sam Dobbs made a great save at the striker's feet.

Northallerton then had the ball in the back of the net for a second time, but Craig Winter's strike was also ruled out, again for pushing.

Town suffered a major blow in the 28th minute when central defender Winter had to leave the field due to injury, striker David Onions coming on as substitute with Jackson moving to centre half and Ross Diamond moving back into defence.

But the partnership of Skelton and Onions up front paid off for Town a minute later. Skelton fired home from ten yards after collecting the ball from Onions on the edge of the area and beating one defender before firing high into the roof of the net.

Alnwick had a great chance to equalise in the 35th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Dobbs brought down James Swordy in the area. The home side's leading scorer, who bagged a hat-trick in their previous game, took the kick himself, but Dobbs redeemed himself by making a brilliant save as he went full-length to his left to turn the ball round the post for a corner.

Alnwick completely faded in the second half as Town took control and it was no surprise when Skelton, playing in only his second game, scored his fourth goal for the club. He made a great run through the inside left channel, beating two defenders before blasting the ball into the back of the net.

Onions had a good chance in the 74th minute when he had a clear strike on goal, but Belisle made a good save. Four minutes later, Skelton went close to claiming a hat-trick when, after receiving a return pass from Onions, he just cleared the bar with a delicate chip from 15 yards.

Newcastle Blue Star are now in pole position with 55 points from 24 games, second are Washington Nissan with 52 from 22 and Town are third with 51 from 24. Next come West Allotment Celtic with 49 from 23, Prudhoe Town with 46 from 24 and Crook Town with 45 from 25.

Northallerton are at home tomorrow when Washington are the visitors, kick-off 3pm, and on Wednesday they visit Evenwood Town, kick-off 7.30.