UniBond League

DURHAM CITY manager Lee Collings admitted their fate is out of their own hands despite winning 2-0 at Colwyn Bay in the UniBond League First Division North.

City are top of the table going into a nail-biting last week of the season, but they might be pipped by Skelmersdale, who are just a point behind them with a game in hand.

“On paper, this was a difficult game, but we did very well,” said Collings. “We tortured them in the first half, but only had one goal to show for it. We should have scored more, really.

“We’ve got to keep winning now and see what happens.

Our title hopes are out of our hands, but at least we’ve kept the pressure on Skelmersdale.”

City couldn’t find a way past the Colwyn keeper until the 26th minute when Mattie Moffat set up Steve Richardson to fire home, and after the home keeper pulled off several top class saves, the Welshmen were reduced to nine men following two professional fouls.

Keith Graydon missed a penalty for Durham, who made sure when Moffat scored from Richardson’s pass.

Skelmersdale play three times this week – at home against Salford tomorrow and Newcastle Blue Star on Thursday, then on Saturday they have a tricky away game at Curzon Ashton. City are at home to Mossley on Tuesday, and then they go to Woodley Sports and their artificial surface on Saturday.

If City lose out on the only automatic promotion place to Skelmersdale, then they could be playing Newcastle Blue Star in the play-offs, who look as if they’re going to finish fifth after being thumped 4-0 at home by Skelmersdale.

In the premier division, Whitby are in deep trouble in third bottom place after they were beaten 3-0 at Buxton.

They are now six points adrift of safety with two games to play, but they could be reprieved if they finish a place higher, because Cammell Laird have been told that they will be relegated because their ground doesn’t come up to standard, although the Scousers have appealed.

In the Blue Square North, Blyth picked up a valuable point in a 1-1 draw at home to Gainsborough, Shaun Reay scoring their goal.

At the top, Gateshead held on to second spot after beating Farsley Celtic 3-0 at the International Stadium.