Dunston overcame another obstacle on their way to their first title when they won 2-0 at Marske in midweek.

Danny Shore put them in the lead from a Ben Thompson pass, then David Southern, who hit the bar early in the game, scored the second from a free kick before half time.

Dunston are now five points clear of Durham with a game in hand.

Marske, however, will be relegated if they lose at Guisborough on Monday in their local derby, or if Tow Law win at Horden tomorrow.

Shildon are joint third after they won 2-1 at Penrith. Striker Garry Barnes scored his 50th goal of the season to put Shildon ahead, with Adam Reid scoring a second. Lee Hoolickin pulled a goal back for Penrith, but they are now relegated after just one season in the First Division.

Billingham Town, in their last league game before Monday's Durham Challenge Cup final, won 4-2 at Horden.

Town led with goals from Paul Coleby and recent signing Stuart Dixon, but Stuart Jewson pulled a goal back. Carl Chillingsworth made it 3-1, before Jewson scored another. But Craig Skelton made sure with a penalty late in the game.

Esh Winning were furious with a late equaliser for Thornaby and a share of the points.

Esh took the lead with a goal from Trevor Hawthorne after Gary Messer's header was saved after 43 minutes, but Mattie Peverell levelled with a shot deep into stoppage time.

In the second division, Newcastle Benfield Saints picked up three crucial points thanks to a last minute winner from Stephen Cherry to give them a 2-1 win at Evenwood.

Kristian Dinsley had Evenwood in the lead, but Stephen Baldwin equalised. Saints now need eleven points from six games for their second successive promotion.

Willington are almost safe after they beat Norton 2-1 with ten men.

Teenager Darren Clark put Willington into the lead from a Kevin Shoulder cross after 12 minutes, but then they had Sean Brown dismissed for deliberate handball on the line, and Craig Murray scored from the spot. Willington held their own and got the winner after 68 minutes, when Brett Cummings ran though and fired past the Norton keeper - an appropriate winner as it was his testimonial match last night at Hall Lane.

Willington are now ten points above the relegation zone, while Norton are seven clear.

Alnwick moved into the top half of the table after they beat South Shields 3-0, with goals from Michael Dixon, Ian Common and Ashley Mallaburn.

On Wednesday night, Guisborough beat Billingham Synthonia with ten men after John Ryan was dismissed for a foul. Steve Roberts scored the winner from a corner in the second half.

Washington are nearly down after they lost 3-1 to Morpeth. They led with a goal from Trevor Ball, but then Andy Dugdale (2) and Mark Fenwick replied for Morpeth. Washington will be down on Saturday if Tow Law win at Horden.

In the second division, Crook Town lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle Blue Star for whom Michael Fenwick and Chris Rue scored.

Tommy Scott and Ian Robson both scored for Whickham in their 2-1 win over Prudhoe for whom Gary MacDonald replied.