CELTIC Nation are considering a protest to the FA about the referee in their stormy 6-3 ENL defeat at Durham City.

They claim he used foul language during an exchange with one of their players.

The Carlisle side had two players red-carded and two more sent from the technical area as they finished with nine men, one of whom was an outfield player in goal.

They are sure to hear more about some of the incidents, but player-manager Steve Skinner claimed: “The referee’s conduct was embarrassing.

He called all their players by their first names, then used foul language towards one of ours. We intend to report him to the FA, which will be the first time we’ve done that.”

The victory did City a power of good, lifting them up to sixth bottom, four points above the relegation zone.

CN took the lead when Steve Archibald ran through a static defence and scored after two minutes, but Connor Winter slid home the equaliser and Craig Ellison gave City the lead from a free kick.

Archibald equalised before Scott Fenwick put Durham back in front, only for Craig Wilson to level from the spot.

CN had keeper Ian Milburn dismissed for an alleged headbutt, then Tyran Taylor was dismissed for swearing over a penalty award. Olly Hotchkiss gave City the lead again from the spot, and after Ricky Fenwick made it 5-3, CN assistant manager Tony Lee and sub Graham Anthony were sent from the dug-out. Winter headed a sixth near the end.

Penrith pulled off a surprise, beating Guisborough 3-0 to climb two places to fourth bottom. Andy Murray- Jones gave them an early lead, then Martyn Coleman got the second from a rebound. Guisborough had Mark Casey redcarded for an off-the-ball incident, then Rob Bowman made it 3-0 with a 30-yarder.

Billingham Town are in the bottom three after they lost 4-3 at Hebburn. Nicky Martin headed Billingham into the lead from a Harrison Davies cross, but Jonny Davis levelled from the penalty spot.

Hebburn took a half-time lead when Tony Stephenson won possession and set up Paul Gardiner, and Stuart Nicholson cut in from the wing and scored with a deflected shot.

Stephenson made it 4-1 in a scramble, before Town launched a late revival.

Danny Wray scored with a glancing header, and Stephen Flockett got another with six minutes left.

Newcastle Benfield beat another club just above the relegation fight, Marske United, 2-1. Leon Carling gave Marske an early lead from a corner, but Benfield levelled when Gary Ormston hit the target with a 20-yarder. Sam Norris scored the winner with a 25-yarder that flew into the top corner.

Bottom club South Shields are in danger of being cast adrift after they were beaten 2-0 at Team Northumbria, both goals scored by Peter Watling.

Second division leaders Ryhope CW won 6-1 at Darlington RA.

Jonny Butler, the second division’s leading scorer, scored a hat-trick, one of them a penalty, to take his tally to 31 league goals. Chris Winn scored Ryhope’s last goal in the dying seconds to give him 27 for the season. Phil Hall and Chris Trewick scored the others, with Paul Freary replying for the RA at 3-0.

Second-placed Crook Town also won at home to Thornaby.

Crook took the lead after just four minutes when Chris Wallace scored from a long throw, then centre half Ian Maddison tapped in from a corner.

David Paul set up Kyle Davis to score with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area on the resumption, and then sub Warren Byrne opened up the Thornaby defence for Paul to score off the bar.

Liam O’Mahoney got the goal of the game for Thornaby with a 35-yarder into the top corner. But Byrne snuffed out any hopes of a comeback with two more in the last 20 minutes.

Seaham Red Star are now joint third following their 3-1 home win over Ryton.

Alan Pegram, Kevin Gordon and Chris Scott scored for Seaham, with Brian Dodsworth replying.

Jarrow Roofing are just a point behind the top three after a 3-0 home win over Brandon. Dan Smart, Anthony Myers and David Palmer scored.

Horden are sinking deeper into trouble after being hammered 6-2 at home by Whitehaven.

Horden were level 2-2, but Whitehaven moved up a gear.

Lee Bishop and Peter Crawford scored for Horden, with Stuart Shaw , Kevin Connelly, Craig Robson, Paul Brown, Sam Smith and Stephen Hodgson (og) on target for the visitors.

Whitehaven have had three points deducted by the league for using a suspended player in a recent game.

Stokesley had their best win for many a year, hammering Whickham 7-2 at Broughton Road.

Ross Hodgson and Gary Redman scored for Stokesley, with Scott Swanson replying.

Derek Bradley made it 3-1 with Swanson replying again, but then Stokesley took full control and scored through Bradley, Mark McManus and Adam Foley.