skilltrainingltd Northern League

SPENNYMOOR manager Jason Ainsley says his side shouldn’t be written off as they face a hectic schedule in the race for the skilltrainingltd Northern League title.

Moors beat South Shields thanks to a single goal by Jamie Clarke to put them five points behind leaders Consett, but in order to win the title they need to survive nine games in the next three weeks.

“I’m not saying that we’re going to win the league, but we react well when other people write us off,” said Ainsley.

“It will be a tiring schedule, but we’ve got a lot of fit young lads with an excellent team spirit.

“They showed that on Saturday - it wasn’t a very good performance, but they kept battling away. At this stage of the season, results are more important than performances.”

Moors had keeper Niki Lawson to thank for saving an early penalty from Glenn Reay, while at the other end Leon Carling and Jamie Clarke both hit the woodwork.

Shields also had a couple of chances before Jamie Clarke got the winner after 75 minutes, glancing in a free kick from Karl Richards. Moors are at Tow Law this afternoon for a 1pm kick off.

Consett opened up a three point gap at the top by beating Billingham Town 2-1 at Belle Vue.

Former Darlington player Jonjo Dickman scored direct from a free kick after five minutes, then Chris Scott scored the second direct from a corner.

Consett squandered several chances to increase their lead, and Town gave them an anxious last ten minutes after Sean Boynton scored with an overhead kick Town haven’t won in 15 league games, and are just five points above the relegation zone.

All of the other teams fighting relegation lost. Fourth bottom Bishop Auckland were disappointed to lose 1-0 against Ashington, only two days after beating them 4-0.

Bishops missed a couple of chances to take the lead, but Ashington’s Robbie Cockburn got the winner when he wriggled free in the box and fired home from ten yards after 75 minutes.

Northallerton were looking good for a point at one stage against Sunderland Nissan, but they lost 4-2 at Ainderby Road.

They led twice with headers by Carl Chillingsworth, only for Paul Stephenson and Neil Tarrant to level. But the game turned against Northallerton in the last 20 minutes. Richard Hodgson scored from the spot after he was adjudged to have been brought down by keeper Paul Clements. There was a suspicion of handball when Tyson Masters ran through and scored. Northallerton are at Penrith this afternoon.

West Auckland missed a chance to climb out of the bottom three when they were beaten 2-0 at home by ten man Chester-le-Street.

West got off to a bad start when Dean Grayson brought down Wayne Gredziak, and Craig Price scored from the spot after just three minutes, and before half time Gredziak headed the second from a right wing cross.

Chester had Nathan Fisher dismissed for two yellow cards on 68 minutes, but Chester keeper Josh Carmichael kept them at bay.

West, who have failed to score in 15 league games this season, have a crucial home game tomorrow night against Ashington.

Bottom of the table Seaham Red Star lost 2-1 at home to Shildon, who are now fifth.

Shildon took the lead when Stuart Niven split the Seaham defence for Lee Chapman to fire into the bottom corner, and they went 2-0 up on 70 minutes when Chapman headed in a cross from Chris Bell. Seaham pulled a late goal back through James Huntley.

Durham Challenge Cup finalists, Billingham Synthonia, lost to a late goal in a 4-3 thriller at home to Penrith.

The Cumbrians quickly went 2-0 up with goals by Michael Brown and Mattie Lea, but at the start of the second half David Barnes pulled one back from Michael Jameson’s cross, and Michael Cater levelled from close range.

Danny Earl made it 3-2 from a Jamie Arnold pass with nine minutes left, but Graham Antony levelled from a free kick. Deep into stoppage time, Dan Robinson fired the winner.

Morpeth beat Tow Law, 2-1.

Lawyers took the lead when a cross by Alex White was turned into his own net by goalkeeper Jak Wells, but Morpeth levelled through Tony Stephenson.

Morpeth got the winner with a disputed penalty from Lee Bell on 55 minutes. Ryton beat Bedlington 1-0, with James Alsop scoring midway through the first half.

In the second division, only Norton are assured of a promotion place still because Sunderland RCA kept the promotion race alive by winning 4-0 at Jarrow Roofing.

The division’s leading scorer, Mark Davison, took his tally for the season to 24. Steve Stewart volleyed the second and an impressive third after he beat two men and slotted the ball home.

Andy Jennings scored his 16th goal of the season on 87 minutes with a shot on the turn.

Horden, who are third, struggled to overcome Guisborough, and were thankful for a last minute goal by Mark Stephenson, when he cut in from the left and scored from ten yards.

Guisborough were forced to put outfield player Mark James in goal, and he didn’t have much to do until the second half.

Marske’s promotion hopes have gone, even though they won 2-1 at Crook Town.

They took the lead when Craig Skelton beat a defender and set up Derek Bradley to score from a few yards, but Crook levelled with a goal by Nick Quinn. Bradley scored the winner before half time, with a header from Ross Diamond’s cross.

Washington lost 3-1 at home to Hebburn, which means that Jarrow Roofing are now safe from relegation.

Hebburn keeper Gary Frater scored his third penalty of the season for Hebburn’s third, while Daniel Gray and Gary Dadd scored the others.

Barrie Smith replied late in the game for Washington.

Team Northumbria won 5-1 at Whickham, which means that they have scored 26 goals in their last six league games.

John Redhead (2), Lee Johnson, Oliver Rodley and Liam McRoy scored for TN, with Adam McLane scoring a late consolation for Whickham, who also had Kris Holmes sent off.

Darlington RA were without a recognised keeper at home to North Shields, so outfield player Christian Holliday went in goal. He was beaten in the first minute by Robbie Livermore’s effort, but the RA are safe from relegation.

Brandon scored twice in the second half to beat Stokesley 4-2 at the Welfare Ground.

Stephen Fothergill and Matt Hornsby put Brandon two up, but Stokesley hit back through Stuart Wise and Paul Callan. Brandon took the points with late strikes by Chris Toye and Tim Bowman.

In the Blue Square North, Gateshead beat Gainsborough with a goal from Lee Novak, while Blyth won 1-0 at Workington thanks to Anthony Shandran’s strike.