Northallerton Town boss Paul Burton was absolutely delighted with the commitment shown by his side after they came back from a goal down to beat South Shields 2-1 last Saturday.

It was Town's fifth win on the trot and extended their unbeaten league run to 11 games, during which they have picked up 31 points out of a possible 33.

However, Burton was not so pleased with his team's performance. He said: "Sometimes you have to go out and grind a victory and that is what we did today. South Shields played some good football and deserved something out of this game.

"But, after they took the lead, I was pleased with the way we came back and the spirit shown by the team. I now believe that we have the ability to continue our good run.

"It now looks a five-horse race for the three promotion spots and I fully expect us to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season".

Town made a promising start to the game, creating three good chances in the first 15 minutes.

In the tenth minute a Dominic Gamble shot from the left was well saved by visiting keeper Karl Spratt. This was quickly followed by a Simon Colligan shot, following a knock-down from Ian Williams, which just cleared the bar. Then a 25-yard free kick from Andy Swalwell went just wide of the post.

But the Mariners, who beat Northallerton 3-0 earlier in the season, came more into it and they should have done better in the 38th minute when Lee O'Donovan worked a good opening for himself. But home keeper Sam Dobbs excelled as he made a brave save at the striker's feet.

South Shields looked the better side for the opening spell of the second half and they went close in the 52nd minute through David Hague, who made a superb run down the left before hitting a great shot which just cleared the bar.

Five minutes later Dobbs made a great low save to deny David Graham, who got in a good downward header following a left-wing cross from Hague.

South Shields broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a superb strike from Hague, whose shot from a narrow angle out on the left touchline completely deceived Dobbs as it sailed over his head and into the net via the far post.

But Town hit back to equalise in the 66th minute through captain for the day David Onions, who was first to react to head home from close range when a shot from Anthony Roberts, following a cross from Colligan, came back off Spratt.

The visitors came back and O'Donovan had a great chance in the 70th minute when he found himself in space in front of goal, but he hit a poor shot straight at Dobbs.

Northallerton made the stronger finish and they grabbed the winner in the 81st minute through Roberts, who hammered the ball home at the far post after the Shields defence failed to cut out a right-wing cross from Onions.

* Northallerton's unbeaten run came to an end on Monday night when they lost 2-0 at promotion rivals Newcastle Blue Star, but it is still very tight at the top of division two, with just three points covering the top five clubs.

Town visit Marske United tomorrow and have an attractive home fixture on Wednesday when Whitby Town are the visitors in the North Riding Senior Cup, kick-off 7.30.

Esh Winning 4

Guisborough Town 3

Guisborough Town, who are battling to get out of the division one relegation zone, went down narrowly in a seven-goal thriller at Esh Winning last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring on 20 minutes when a cracking left-foot shot from Burns skidded under Guisborough keeper Simon Corbett into the net.

The visitors equalised on 30 minutes when a fine cross from the right saw Stephen Bell rise highest to head home.

Guisborough deservedly took the lead early in the second half when midfield grafter Paul Wilson arrived unmarked to tap in a close-range shot.

But the home side drew level from a corner on 62 minutes. Andrew Wilson had the easy task of tapping in from close range after Corbett failed to hold the ball.

The Priorymen regained the lead with a Simon Kasonali penalty on 64 minutes and looked to be cruising to victory when they were hit by two quick counter punches. Anderson forced the ball over the line after a corner on 82 minutes, then Cuthbertson fired in a free kick for the winner.