Albany Northern League

The result put Brandon seven points clear of Bedlington, with just one game to play - at Bedlington tomorrow. Brandon will need a draw for the title, while Bedlington need to win their last three matches. They have also got Newcastle Blue Star and Dunston to play.

Bedlington joint-manager Tony Lowery was in the crowd on Tuesday, but he must have been wondering what to make of a poor first half, in which Brandon failed to create any chances.

But they took the lead just after half time when Andy Purvis scored with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, then ten minutes later Rob Marsden got another with a right foot shot from ten yards.

Eppleton are another £200 worse off following their administration problems as they face up to life outside the Northern League.

Eppleton are almost certain to be relegated at the end of the season after being deducted 15 points with only three games left. They were also fined £750 by the league last week, but they will also be asked to hand back £200 for two Performance of the Week awards which they won.

Eppleton won at Easington and Murton to lift the awards, but because they have fielded unregistered players in those games, they will be obliged to hand back the awards.

It is understood the punishment from the league could have been far more severe.

Eppleton had apparently failed to return player registration forms since December last year, and at one point the management committee was even considering a 51 point deduction, but they felt that 15 was enough.

"There was no point in deducting any more than 15," said chairman Mike Amos.

"It is a very sad situation, but it would have been totally unfair on other clubs who have had points deducted this season, not to have done what we have done.

"We weren't in a situation in which we couldn't apply the rules. They are the rules which are approved every year by the annual meeting of the clubs."

The league previously tried to help Eppleton as much as possible, by issuing verbal reminders on several occasions, but the situation came to a head at the end of March.

The league could also have triggered a suspended fine of over £2000 which was imposed last season, but decided to fine them a smaller amount of £750.

They were fined £2050 for these offences on top of the £2025 suspended fine.

It wasn't the first time Eppleton had been in trouble with the league. In December 2001, their poor administration had been brought to the attention of the league, and on that occasion they had points deducted and the league stated that it would recommend their expulsion to the AGM if there was a repetition.

Eppleton are now facing relegation, and can only be saved if West Allotment and Benfield Saints, the two clubs who want to join the Northern League, fail to finish in the top two of the Northern Alliance - and that is looking very unlikely.

Eppleton are unlikely to appeal.

Several clubs have fallen foul of the unregistered players rule this season. There was a spate in the autumn when clubs signed on players who had informed them that they weren't registered with any other club when they really were, and one club had three points deducted for using a registered player, who wasn't on the teamsheet.

There could now be a spate of replayed matches, as opposing clubs are entitled to ask for a replay if Eppleton have played ineligible players against them.

Brandon striker Andy Purvis has asked for personal hearings at Durham FA following his sendings off at Seaham in the league cup and at home to Whitley Bay in the league.

Next season's FA Cup will start with the extra preliminary round on August 23, with the preliminary round being played a week later. The Northern League begins on August 16.

The Northern League has instructed Horden, Brandon and Ashington to appear in front of them to answer various allegations of misconduct. The league recently fined Thornaby £50 after they were found guilty of misconduct by North Riding FA.

Durham City look good for a top four place after they won 2-0 at Tow Law. Paul Rowntree opened the scoring for Durham from a Craig Lake cross, then got another after a mistake by Gareth McNary prompted a goalmouth scramble. Scott Nicholson missed a penalty for Tow Law.

At the bottom, Prudhoe are still just a point above the relegation zone after they lost 3-1 at home to Shildon. Nigel Bolton put Shildon into the lead with a hotly disputed penalty after six minutes, then he got another from a quick free kick.

However, he was then red-carded for kicking an opponent, but the ten men scored the third when a shot from David Bayles hit the bar and went in off Prudhoe keeper Simon Hall. Chris Creamer pulled a late goal back when he pounced on a poor back pass.

The result means that Consett can still escape the drop, providing they win their last match at Shildon on Saturday, and Prudhoe lose their last three matches. Prudhoe are at Peterlee, who are second bottom but fighting hard, on the same day.

Bottom club Newcastle Blue Star have now conceded a century of goals after they lost 4-2 at Dunston.

It looked too easy for Dunston as they strolled into a three-goal lead inside the first 20 minutes, with goals from Steve Pickering, and two from Ben Thompson.

But Dunston relaxed, and let Blue Star back into the game, with goals before half time from Danny Olusauga and Micky Cunningham. However, Thompson completed his hat trick on the hour.

In the second division, Horden finished with nine men in a stormy game at Northallerton, who also had a man sent off. There were also 12 yellow cards shown in the game.

John Cowley put Horden into the lead with a penalty, but then they had Luke Allen sent off. Northallerton levelled with an Andy Howarth penalty, and took the lead through David Onions. But Horden hot back with goals from Craig Stephens and Chris I'Anson, but then had Andy Davies dismissed. And in a frantic finish, Gareth Vincent was red-carded for Northallerton, who had two goals disallowed in stoppage time.

Horden went into third place, because Ashington were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Murton.

Seaham Red Star moved into fifth after they won 2-0 at Alnwick, with goals by Paul Taylor and Mark Swindell.

Norton are still second bottom after they lost 2-1 at home to Easington. Paul Imeson headed Easington into the lead after seven minutes, with Brian Sherlock equalising. Tony Hanson got the winner for Norton after 55 minutes.

On Wednesday night, Billingham Town ran riot at Esh Winning, crushing the home side 7-0. Craig Skelton (3), Graeme Baverstock (2), David Turner and Carl Chillingsworth were the scorers. Town recorded one of the highest away wins of the season last month, when they thumped Newcastle Blue Star 8-0.

The win also means that Town are now the highest scorers in the league with 93, one ahead of Bedlington, and they still have a chance of finishing in third place.

Guisborough striker John Ryan scored his second hat trick in three matches when he scored all three at Morpeth. It was the second win for Guisborough over Morpeth in four days, as they won last Saturday's contest 2-0.

Washington moved above Whitley Bay in the table with a goal by Alan Hood.

In the second division, Penrith had a man sent off but still beat Kennek Ryhope CA 1-0, with a goal by Andrew Wright. Penrith full back Simon Parry was red-carded for swearing.

Thornaby dropped points when they were held 0-0 in an exciting game at Washington Nissan, for whom manager Gavin Liddle was forced to play because of injuries.