BISHOP AUCKLAND are through to the preliminary round of the FA Cup after a 2-0 derby win at West Auckland.

Bishops are now away to Ashington in the next round a week on Saturday after goals from Louis Johnson and Brandon Holdsworth put them 2-0 up before West had Lee Hume sent off just before the hour mark.

Bishops assistant manager Leon Carling said: “We are delighted to get the season up and running with a derby win. We controlled the game throughout and felt the margin could have been wider.

"Credit to West who kept plugging away with ten men, but after the second goal it felt like we had done enough to win the game and saw it out with a long period of possession.”

West Auckland manager Gary Forrest said: “It was always going to be a tough ask as we went into the game without five key players and with only three subs, one of whom was only 16 years old.

“The task was made impossible with a soft sending off just after half-time, and from then the game was finished. They scored twice and our keeper made one save.”

Shildon won’t be playing Bishops in the next round because they lost 4-2 at home to Ashington. They led at half-time thanks to a goal by Billy Greulich-Smith, but former Darlington striker Wilson Kneeshaw (2), Cyril Giraud and Jon Shaw hit back for Ashington in the second half before Andrei Ardelean scored a late consolation.

Shildon manager Chris Hughes said: “It was a tough one to take after playing well for large parts of the game. It was a lesson that we will use moving forward in the league programme as well as in the Vase this season.”

Crook Town beat Marske United for the second time in four days, this time by 4-2, with Sonni Coleman scoring a hat-trick. He scored twice inside the first 12 minutes and, after Kyran Clark pulled a goal back, he completed his hat-trick in the second half before Jack Raper finished the scoring.

Crook boss Mattie Thompson said: “It was an absolutely outstanding performance from start to finish. It was a well-deserved win, and we scored some unreal goals. It was a great start to a tough set of fixtures.” Crook are now away to Penrith in the next round.

Tow Law were beaten 3-2 at home by Blyth Town. The visitors went two goals up through Adam Johnson and Tom Potter before Lawyers pulled a goal back through Charlie Watson on half-time. Potter scored his second with five minutes left from the spot, but Lawyers had a late revival and scored through Jamie O’Brien.

Northallerton lost 2-0 at Garforth, both of the home side’s goals coming before the 20th minute.

Northallerton manager Jason Newall said: “We were against the wind in the first half and it was difficult to get out. We reacted in the second half with stern words and I got the response I wanted. We hit the bar with ten minutes to go, and it would have been interesting if that had gone in.”

In the Northern League Second Division, Darlington Town are unbeaten in three games after beating Bedlington 3-2 at Eastbourne, Liam Jarvie, James Beauchamp and Sam England getting their goals.

Darlington Town manager Nathan Wilson said: “It was hard work, with three of our key players getting injured in the first half. The subs did well and battled hard against a good Bedlington team. But the main thing is, we won the game and took the three points.”

In other Second Division games, Chester-le-Street Town lost 2-1 at home to FC Hartlepool and Esh Winning lost 1-0 at home to Ryton and Crawcrook. Chester-le-Street United won 2-1 at Sunderland RCA.