FA Vase: Shildon manager Ray Gowan dropped a bombshell when he announced his resignation after his side's 1-0 FA Vase exit at the hands of Bedlington on Saturday.

Gowan, who is one of the longest serving managers ever in the Northern League with fourteen years' service at Dean Street, said: "It wasn't an instant decision.

"Even though I feel that we've got a better team than last season, it's not performing. I feel as if I've let the chairman, the committee, the players and the fans down.

"It hurts me more than the fans when the team loses, and nothing hurt more than going out of the FA Cup to Radcliffe Borough after we were 2-0 up at their place.

"There are three watersheds in our season - the FA Cup, the FA Vase and the Christmas programme. We're out of the Cup and the Vase by the end of October, so I feel that resigning is the right thing to do.

"If you fancy yourself as a top team in this league, then you have to win games, and our performances haven't been reflecting that.

"But I do feel that I've left the club in a strong state, and we've had our successes along the way."

Shildon officials are hoping that Gowan will have a change of heart, and secretary Mike Armitage said: "We want to talk to him at a board meeting tonight."

Bedlington were the better team in the first half, and went close through Tony Shandran, John Milner and Robbie Cockburn before they took the lead after 38 minutes when Shandran fired home from 12 yards after the ball was cleared out to him.

Bedlington nearly added further goals only to be denied by Shildon keeper John Jackson, but Shildon also had their chances, the best of them a header by Graham Liddle which went just wide.

Durham City overcame a physical Maltby Main 3-1 at the Archibalds Stadium.

They took the lead when Stephen Stewart crossed from the left for Glen Robson to set up Paul Chow, who drove the ball home.

It was 2-0 just before half-time when Chow headed in from a corner, and even though Maltby pulled a goal back and then had a man sent off for dissent, City kept their nerve and made it 3-1 after 75 minutes when Robson and Micky Dunwell both had efforts blocked, only for Michael Mackay to force the ball home. Justin Keegan was taken to the hospital in the second half with a suspected broken leg. Durham manager Billy Cruddas said: "Maltby could have had more than one man sent off."

Seaham Red Star had an excellent result, coming from behind to beat Selby, who are going well in the Northern Counties East League, 2-1.

The visitors took the lead through Chris Kamara - the son of the Sky Sports pundit - but Willie Crew equalised from the loose ball after the visiting keeper fumbled a shot from Dean Fox.

And then Crew got the winner when Kyle Bird dribbled past three men and crossed for him to head the winner.

Seaham manager Peter Mulcaster said: "It was a great fightback by the lads. They were fantastic in the second half."

Horden came from behind to beat Crook 2-1 at the Millfield.

Crook led after 15 minutes with a strike by John Shotton, and they missed chances to increase their lead before Horden equalised after 44 minutes with a Rob Huntley penalty after Andy McKenna was fouled.

With extra-time a possibility, Huntley got the winner direct from a free kick 30 yards out. Horden manager Eddie Freeman said: "It was a great winner, but it was a really tough game."

Whitley Bay, winners three seasons ago, beat Newcastle Blue Star, managed by the man who guided them to the final, Andy Gowens. Whitley took the lead after 15 minutes when Adam Johnston's shot was blocked, and former Darlington Peter Kirkham scored from the rebound. They added another four minutes later when Johnston broke through and fired past Graham Waind in the Blue Star goal.

Johnston then scored his 12th goal of the season after 23 minutes when he curled home a free kick from the edge of the area to make it 3-0.

Blue Star pulled a goal back through Michael Fenwick to ensure that Whitley are still to keep a clean sheet in any sort of game this season.

A late goal from Mark Sunley gave Guisborough a 3-2 home win over Bacup Borough after they led 2-0 at one stage. Andy Allen gave Guisborough the lead after 44 minutes, and they looked safe when Austin Johnson added the second after 62 minutes. Bacup hit back to equalise, but Sunley scored the winner with two minutes left.

Dunston won 2-0 at neighbours Whickham. After a goalless first half, Dunston took the lead when Graeme Armstrong crossed from the right for Danny Shore to head home, then Ben Thompson pounced on a mistake to run through and score the second.

Jarrow Roofing put their recent bad form behind them to beat Morpeth 4-1. Craig Nelson scored with a shot on the turn to give them an early lead, then he did the same again for the second just after the interval.

Paul Beavers pulled a goal back for Morpeth, but then Paul Hodgson fired home a third. Justin Perry converted a penalty to finish the game off.

Marske went out, losing 2-0 at Yorkshire Amateurs, Prudhoe were well beaten by 5-0 at home to Thackley, while Penrith lost 2-0 at home to Salford City.

Northern Alliance survivors Ryton lost 3-1 to Skelmersdale.

The Eccleshill v Esh Winning, Peterlee v Fleetwood, Ramsbottom v Consett and Thornaby v Great Harwood games were all postponed, and have been re-arranged for tomorrow.