The Albany Northern League

Constantine just managed to sign the Argentinian in time for their game against West Auckland last Saturday, and he was rewarded with a sparkling display in a 1-0 win, their first victory in the league this season.

"He was the little bit of extra quality we've been needing," said Constantine, who pipped Durham City for his signature.

"He was outstanding in the first half, and tore West apart.

"He became an instant crowd favourite with the way he played, and hopefully, he will now help us avoid relegation."

Di Lella started last season at Durham, before moving on to Scarborough and then Whitby.

Constantine has also signed several other players, including Robbie Soppitt, Michael Meek, Rory Barker and Jonathan Murray.

Northallerton manager Peter Mulcaster reckons that his best signing for the club isn't a player - but his assistant, Andy Boynton.

Mulcaster returned to the Second Division club during the summer after two years at Spennymoor, but he is full of praise for Boynton.

"Andy takes a lot of the workload from me.

"He sorts out much of the paperwork, and stuff do with things off the field.

"That enables me to get on with the management and coaching of the team. The players know that if they have any problems, they can go to Andy."

Boynton knows plenty about management himself, after spells at Billingham Town and Norton, before moving on to Northallerton.

Shildon manager Ray Gowan is delighted with the increase in support of his side, both home and away.

With the team having won seven league games out of seven and going really well in the Second Division, support is certainly picking up.

The club has introduced a free admission scheme for accompanied youngsters at Dean Street, while support away from home is growing too.

"For the first time in many years, we have supporters' buses going to matches. One went across to Lancashire for our Vase tie at Great Harwood, and another went to our league game at Ryhope last week.

"Maybe they like the entertainment we're providing!"

Shildon's trip to Ryhope was fairly memorable - they came back from 4-2 down with 20 minutes remaining to win 6-4.

Leaders Whitley Bay suffered their first league defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 at home to Guisborough on Tuesday night.

Guisborough took the lead after six minutes when Steve Ritchie scored from a rebound after Jamie Clarke's shot was blocked, then Jonathan Newton quickly added the second from a long ball.

Whitley didn't help their cause when Andy Bowes was sent off, but they still managed to pull a goal back through Gary Middleton.

West Auckland scored twice in the last three minutes to beat Tow Law 4-3 at Darlington Road on Tuesday night.

Lawyers took the lead after nine minutes when Kraig Wilkinson scored from a Brian Wake pass, and then Marc Eccles missed a penalty after 32 minutes.

West levelled through Kevin Shoulder from a ray Stanger cross, then former West player Gary Hornsby put through his own goal from a Shoulder cross after 73 minutes.

But Wake pounced on a poor back pass to make it 2-2 after 80 minutes, then he made it 3-2 to Lawyers from the edge of the box four minutes later.

However, John Shotton fired in from 30 yards for the equaliser after 89 minutes, and a minute into stoppage time Steve Johnson crossed for Phil McGuire to volley home.

Jarrow Roofing came from behind to draw 2-2 at Billingham Town.

The home side took the lead when Sean Gregory chipped the keeper from almost the halfway line, then Wayne Osborne added the second.

But Roofing stormed back with gaols by Justin Perry and Paul Chow.

Dunston almost let a three goal lead slip at Chester-le-Street but held on for a 3-2 victory.

Chester had a man sent off early in the game for deliberate handball, and Dunston took full advantage to sail into a three goal lead through Paul Dalton, Derek Ord and Andrew Fletcher by the 54th minute. But a Martin Bowes penalty gave Chester hope, and they got another through Neil Burn with ten minutes left.

Brandon are third after they beat Thornaby 3-1. Steve Huggins put them in front from the edge of the box after 28 minutes, with Mark Patterson adding the second five minutes before half time. Micky Cunningham scored the third from close range just before the break.

Paul Coleby pulled a goal back in the second half.

In the second division, a goal by Wayne Gredziak midway throug hthe second half gave Northallerton the points against Horden.

Easington pulled off a big surprise on Tuesday night by thrashing Billingham Synthonia 4-0 in the Durham Challenge Cup.

Easington took the lead after 27 minutes through Tony Hanson, with Dominic Rice adding another ten minutes later.

Synners then had Dean McGee dismissed for deliberate handball in the box, and Vic Holt converted the penalty. Hanson completed the scoring after 62 minutes.

Seaham Red Star lost 2-1 at home to Murton, while Esh Winning won 2-1 at Whickham with goals by Trevor Hawthorne and Gary Emerson, while Tony Halliday also missed a penalty.

Consett beat Norton thanks to a goal from Ian Davison after 27 minutes, while Paul Hinton and Anthony Jewson both scored two apiece as Peterlee beat Wolviston 5-0.

Steve Burns scored four and Lee O'Donovan three as Washington thrashed Jarrow 7-2.

Most of tomorrow's Northern League games are kicking off early.

All of the First Division has switched to either 1pm or noon to avoid clashing with the England game, but according to the league, three Second Division matches are still kicking off at 3pm - Kennek Ryhope v Northallerton, Norton v Horden and Shotton v Easington. "No one from any club has told me that they've switched kick offs - so I'm assuming that they are still at 3pm," said Northern League secretary Tony Golightly.

Northallerton confirmed on Wednesday night that their game does kick off at 3pm.

Eppleton have switched their home game tonight with Shildon to Shildon's Dean Street because of floodlight problems. Eppleton's home game with Willington a fortnight ago had to be postponed because of floodlight failure.