Consett manager Kenny Lindoe won't let his players celebrate yet after they virtually clinched promotion to the First Division on Saturday.

The Steelmen, who have only lost one league game this season, thumped Hebburn 6-0 to put them on 81 points, which means that only Northallerton, Darlington RA and Crook can overtake them.

"I've told the lads that I'm not putting my hand in my pocket just yet to get the beers in," he said.

"Crook might not be able to overtake us on points, but they can still technically overtake us on goal difference.

"But that would mean Crook winning every game, and us losing every one of ours, and I can't see that happening.

"I'll settle for our position, and sooner or later we'll guarantee promotion."

Consett took the lead on 22 minutes when Andy Bulford scored his 22nd goal of the season from the edge of the box, then shortly after Robbie Blemings set up Carl Piecha to chip the keeper.

Consett really took control in the second half. Gary Ormston curled the ball home from ten yards to make it 3-0, then he raced clear to score the fourth with a shot that went in off the post.

Steven Brown ran from the halfway line to get the fifth, then Michael Mackay grabbed his 23rd league goal of the season with a well-executed shot on the turn.

Consett are now 15 points clear of nearest rivals Northallerton and Darlington RA, whose game, like all the other second division matches and five in the first division, was postponed because of the bad weather.

Shildon climbed further away from the First Division relegation zone by winning their relegation battle 3-1 at Thornaby.

Thornaby had the better of the first half, and missed a chance to open the scoring when Adam Emson was fouled, but Adam Collington saved Simon O'Shea's penalty. However, they took the lead just before the break when Emson scored with a header from a free-kick.

However, Shildon hit back in the second half. Neale Bartlett levelled with a wind assisted free-kick, then top scorer Wayne Gredziak put them in front in a goalmouth scramble.

New signing Kevin Shoulder got the third from ten yards after 75 minutes.

Shildon boss Gary Forrest said: "The wind had a massive effect on the game, and, when we had it in the second half, we were too strong for Thornaby."

Shildon's next game is another relegation tussle at Ashington next Saturday.

Thornaby's ground was inspected at the weekend, and if it has failed to reach first division requirements, the club will be forcibly relegated, even if they do avoid the bottom three.

Chester-le-Street held Bedlington to a 2-2 draw, even though they played with ten men for all but ten minutes of the game.

Chester midfielder Craig Shields was red carded for deliberate handball on the goalline, and Keith Douglas tucked away the penalty to give Bedlington the lead.

But Chester rolled up their sleeves and fought back, playing some good football. Jonny Wightman equalised after 35 minutes, and after Andy Cuthbertson hit the woodwork, they went in front just after half time when Phil Bell volleyed in.

But Bedlington equalised ten minutes from the end when Douglas fired his second goal of the game.

Bedlington's future appears to be much safer now after Wansbeck Council announced that they will be taking over the responsibility for the maintenance of the ground, while the club has undertaken to form a new committee.

The council is also going to carry out drainage work that will lessen the damage to the pitch when Ashington move there next season, as seems likely.

Durham Challenge Cup finalists Billingham Synthonia moved into second place thanks to a 1-0 home win over Durham City, who have just one game remaining.

Synners had much the better of the play, missing chances through Tony Wood and Micky Dunwell, although Durham nearly took the lead with a shot by Michael Coghlan.

However, Synners deservedly claimed the points when Lee Flanagan picked up a pass from Tony Wood and fired past Stuart Arkle.

Horden are still on the fringe of the relegation battle after they lost 2-1 at home to Whitley Bay.

Stuart Brightwell gave them the lead on 17 minutes when he scored from the edge of the box, but they didn't press home their advantage.

Whitley equalised after 72 minutes when Horden keeper Phil Naisbett failed to hold a free-kick from Tony Chapman, then Chris Bone got the winner with a shot just seven minutes from the end.

Darlington RA are crossing their fingers that the league's ground inspection went in their favour on Friday.

The RA have had to carry out some ground improvements at Brinkburn Road in order to be eligible for promotion to the First Division, and manager David Woodcock said: "We had some positive vibrations, and we've been told to await a letter in the post."