A hat-trick from Shildon's Gary Barnes virtually ended Durham City's hopes of lifting the Albany Northern League title in a 3-1 win at the Archibald Stadium yesterday.

Barnes took his personal tally for the season to 53 and virtually handed the title to Dunston who are at home to Billingham Synthonia today.

Barnes opened the scoring after seven minutes when he scored from a pass by Danny Richmond.

Durham levelled after 25 minutes when Glen Robson got away from is marker to head past John Jackson.

Barnes and Lee Ellison both missed chances to put Shildon back into the lead in a game they dominated.

After Robson missed a header from six yards, Shildon went 2-1 up on 78 minutes when Barnes picked up the ball inside the Durham area, beat a defender and scored with a right foot shot.

He wrapped up victory in the dying minutes when Kurt Warburton crossed from the left for Barnes to score with a flying header into the top corner of the net.

Dunston have midfielder Steve Pickering returning, but striker Ben Thompson and midfielder Michael Robson are both injured.

Assistant manager Perry Briggs said: "We've got some tired legs, but this is a massive game for us."

Synners include new signing John Alexander from Darlington, but they are missing Tony Wood and Craig Perry because of injury, while keeper John Mohun is suspended. Stephen Aziz will play in goal.

Tow Law can achieve safety and put both Penrith and Marske into the second division if they win at Horden. Lawyers are hoping that defender Phil Graham will return, while strikers David Taylor and Lee Innes are both expected to pass late fitness tests.

Horden could give a debut to youngster Rob Huntley, signed from Sunderland Under 19s, but Ian Irving, Darren Atkinson and Lee Crosby could all be missing.

Bedlington can still finish third if they win at West Auckland. Veteran Peter Guthrie will play in goal for Bedlington, because Adam Clementson is unavailable, and Michael Robinson is injured. Several other players are injured West are hoping that striker Phil McGuire can return after injury.

Esh Winning, who are at home to Jarrow Roofing, will give a fitness test to striker Tony Healer, while midfielder David Andison returns.

Peterlee, who have just two games left, are without centre halves Calvin Foley and Danny Cobain away to Chester-le-Street, but Paul Harvey returns.

In the other first division games, Thornaby play Guisborough in a local derby, while Whitley Bay, with one win in four games, go to Morpeth.

In the second division, bottom club Shotton need to win at home to Crook, otherwise they will be relegated tonight.

Manager Vince Kirkup, who was in charge at Crook earlier in the season, is without four players because of injury, but top scorer Michael Pittam returns.

Crook, who need a point to be sure of safety, welcome back defender Simon Rogers, while new signings Carl Dawson and Stephen Gordon are likely to keep their places.

Newcastle Benfield can move closer to promotion if they beat second bottom Easington.

Benfield need nine points from six games for promotion, and they recall Gary Forbes and Ian Patterson.

Easington need to win to have a chance of avoiding the drop, as they are six points behind third bottom Murton with just four games left. Several players, including their keeper, failed to turn up for last week's home defeat by Prudhoe, but this week they have Andy Ruddock on stand by.

Benfield will have a chance of overtaking Consett for second if they slip up at home to Kennek Ryhope CA. Consett will have a squad of 18 players to choose from, while Ryhope include midfielder Wayne Henderson in their squad after injury.

Norton, who are fourth bottom, could also be safe if they win at home to Northallerton.

Strikers Chris Garbutt and Brian Sherlock, plus defender Stuart Wennington all return . Northallerton include defender Shaun Rennison, who had to quit Conference club Scarborough because of injury.

Evenwood, who haven't won since early January, will be unchanged at home to South Shields.

In the other games, Ashington can move closer to the title if they beat fifth placed Newcastle Blue Star, while Seaham can make sure of safety away to third bottom Murton.