One of the four clubs chasing promotion to the First Division of the Northern League is going to be feeling unlucky in a week's time.

Shildon clinched promotion with a 1-0 win at Crook in midweek, leaving Esh Winning, Prudhoe and Penrith scrapping it out for the remaining two promotion places, and all of them have shown great form in getting this far.

But whoever finishes fourth will be feeling frustrated when the final ball of an exciting Second Division season is kicked, because all of them will probably have passed last season's total by champions Ashington.

Ashington won a 36 game league with 80 points, and third-placed Thornaby finished with four points less.

The closest Second Division race in recent years was a decade ago, when four points covered the top five clubs. Stockton won the division in 1991-92, closely followed by Durham City and Chester-le-Street. Hebburn (85 points) and Dunston (84) both missed out. Coincidentally, Bedlington, who have won the First Division for the last five years, were second bottom that season with just 20 points Prudhoe and Penrith go into the closing stages of the race with a slight advantage. While Esh Winning and Shildon play their last game against each other tomorrow, Prudhoe are at home to Crook, and Penrith are at Horden.

Prudhoe and Penrith still have another fixture to play next week.

Penrith are at home to South Shields, while Prudhoe are at bottom club Shotton.

Shildon's goal difference will be a big plus, whilst Esh Winning's is the worst of the other three.

Shildon's task was made a little easier on Tuesday night when Prudhoe dropped two points in a 0-0 draw at Alnwick.

Shildon then went on to beat Crook on Wednesday night thanks to a Danny Richmond goal in what was a poor game.

Esh need to beat Shildon tomorrow to win promotion.

Tow Law clinched the runners up spot in the First Division on Tuesday night ahead of Dunston when they beat Consett 1-0 at Ironworks Road, thanks to a 70th minute goal by Scott Nicholson from a corner.

Manager Graeme Forster said: "I'm delighted for the lads. Some of them have never been this high in the league before. It's a great reward for the hard work they've put in over the recent weeks.

"But they mustn't relax, we've still got three games to play."

Tow Law could be punished by the League management committee for fielding an ineligible player in their League cup semi final against Shildon last month.

Lawyers used former Darlington centre back Graham Liddle in their line up, but he was signed less than the permitted 14 days before the semi-final, so they are probably facing a fine.

As it was Shildon won the game, but by coincidence their last three opponents in the League Cup have all played ineligible players against them - Jarrow Roofing and South Shields being the others. Shildon won every game, but would have been awarded the ties as per the rules. They could have lost three games, and still reached the final.

Shildon play Durham in the League Cup Final at New Ferens Park on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, kick off 2pm, and three days later they tackle Prudhoe in the Craven Cup final at Esh Winning.

The last relegation place might not be decided until next Thursday night.

Thornaby are relegated to the Second Division after just one year following their 2-1 defeat at Ashington on Tuesday.

But any one from five clubs could be joining them and Seaham Red Star next season.

Consett needed a point from their game against Durham last night to ensure safety, while Washington, Newcastle Blue Star, Morpeth and Ashington still have cause to be nervous.

Washington are probably safe because they have a better goal difference than Ashington, who are three points behind them with just one game left.

Ashington are at home to Durham tomorrow, and if they lose, they will be down.

But if they win, then the last relegation place might not be decided until Newcastle Blue Star play Whitley Bay on May 2.

South Shields are looking for a new manager following the resignation of manager Mattie Pearson.

Pearson was appointed near the end of last season, but Shields have failed a concerted promotion campaign this season.

Whitley Bay manager Andy Gowens says he's hardly had time to think about the FA Vase final at Villa Park on May 11.

Whitley will have the biggest day in their history against Tiptree that day, but in the meantime they are coming to the end of a hectic spell of fixtures. They have played at least two games a week for a month, and haven't had a spare Thursday for over a month.

"It's been a hectic time for everybody," he says.

"It's asking a lot to play three games per week, so I've been rotating the squad.

"There's been times as well when we've been stretched, and I've had to turn out a couple of times.

"But every now and again, the Tiptree game crops up in conversation. We've been measured for suits and tracksuits, and really we've got to enjoy being part of it. Around 700 teams would like to be in our position."

Meanwhile, Whitley are hoping for a following of around 5,000 for the big day. There is plenty of interest in the game in the town and the rest of the area, and with Newcastle playing away at Southampton, they are hoping a few Newcastle supporters will make the shorter trip to Birmingham instead.