Shildon have an 18th successive away tie in the FA Carlsberg Vase after clinching a fifth round place at Stotfold – and Norton have also joined them in the last 16.

Shildon haven’t played at home in the competition since August 2005, but that didn’t bother them as they scored two second half goals to earn a trip to St Ives.

“Our workrate was unbelievable, and that made a big difference,” said Forrest.

“Stotfold scrapped for the ball and gave it the best they had, but we took control when they started to tire. Our fans were also superb – we had two busloads at the game — and they outshouted the home fans.

“We’ve got another away tie to look forward to, but that doesn’t bother us, because we’re used to travelling now.

We’ve got a cracking chance of progressing.”

Shildon had the edge in the first half with Ian Watson, Steve Johnson and Bobby Moore going close.

Shildon took over in the second half, and Warren Byrne fired them into the lead with a deflected shot from the edge of the area before Steve Johnson turned and fired into the top corner.

Norton came from behind to beat Bootle 4-2 on a heavy pitch at Station Road.

Bootle took the lead when Andy Fowler beat James Briggs, but Norton levelled on 41 minutes when David Wells, who was part of the Billingham Synthonia team that reached the semi-finals two years ago, scored after a corner was flicked on.

After new signing Jamie Clarke went close, Dale Mulligan put Norton into the lead with a brilliantly executed scissor kick from an Andrews cross. They went 3-1 up when Andrews converted a penalty after Bootle’s Anthony Hickey handled on the line, and with ten minutes left Micky Dunwell headed another from David Wells’ cross.

Norton manager Conrad Hillerby said: “It took us a while to get going at the start of the game, but the experience we have in the side pulled us through. We grabbed hold of different areas of the pitch and stamped our authority.

“We seem to be a better team in the Vase than the league, and now we’re only four games away from Wembley.”

Norton’s reward is a trip away to New Mills in Derbyshire.

The Northern League now has four teams in the last 16 of the competition, the best representation of any league at its level, but the quartet all face difficult away ties a week on Saturday.

FA Carlsberg Vase Trophy last 16 revised draw: Chertsey v Whitley Bay, Whitehawk v Marske, St Ives v Shildon, New Mills v Norton Billingham Town provided the shock of the day when they held title chasing Whitley Bay at Hillheads and helped to swing the title pendulum towards Spennymoor.

Town slipped down the table before Christmas with a run of five straight defeats, but they stunned the FA Vase holders.

“I thought we did very well against arguably the best side in the Northern League,” said manager Peter Mulcaster.

“The players worked hard and battled, and nearly snatched it at the end. That was one of our best performances of the season, especially as we had lost 6-1 to them back in September.”

Whitley took the lead with a header by Phil Bell from a Lee Kerr free-kick on 37 minutes.

But Town kept battling away, and with four minutes left they levelled with a header by Steve Roberts from a cross by Jonathan Rea.

Gavin Cogdon scored a hat trick to put Spennymoor six points clear at the top as they beat Horden 4-2.

He scored his first from a pass by Steve Capper after 20 minutes, but Horden’s Liam Beeston levelled. Cogdon quickly restored Moors’ lead when he beat three defenders and scored from the edge of the box, and early in the second half he was just about to complete his hat-trick when he was pulled down, and Capper scored from the spot.

But there was no denying him, and he completed his hat-trick just on the hour when he dribbled through again and fired into the bottom corner. Horden pulled a goal back through Mark Nicholson with a header.

Bishop Auckland striker Tyson Masters scored in his last game for the club as Bishops beat Chester-le-Street 3-0 to round off a great week.

Bishops took a first half lead when Adam Emson scored with a right foot volley from 30 yards, and early in the second half Masters, who returns to homeland Australia this week, chased a long ball and lobbed the keeper.

Chester’s Craig Price put a penalty over the bar, and Bishops made them pay when Emson scored with a header.

Ryton pulled off a surprise, drawing 2-2 at champions Newcastle Benfield, while Esh Winning climbed out of the relegation zone, even though they lost 2-1 at home to Bedlington.

Bottom-of-the-table West Auckland were just a few minutes away from collecting a point at Billingham Synthonia, but it all went horribly wrong. West took the lead when Stuart Banks pounced on a poor clearance by keeper Chris Porter and scored from 30 yards, but Synners levelled on 40 minutes with a James Magowan penalty.

Darren Hollingsworth headed in a free kick to put Synners in the lead but West levelled on 75 minutes when Dale Jardine fired in from a Mattie Moffat pass. Magowan headed Synners back into the lead with a minute left, and after West keeper Billy Hanson was red carded for a professional foul, Danny Earl scored the fourth.

Consett won 3-1 at Penrith to put them level on points with Newcastle Benfield.

They took the lead when Andy Cuthbertson played a one-two and beat the Penrith keeper, but Paul Antony levelled with a 30 yarder for Penrith.

Jonjo Dickman restored Consett’s lead and Steve Huggins scored the third from a free-kick after Penrith defender Phil Thornton was sent off for a professional foul.

West Allotment scored a last gasp equaliser to earn a point at Dunston, who were ahead twice in the game.

Second Division leaders Sunderland RCA ran riot against Hebburn, hammering them 8-0, the second time they have put eight goals past the same opponents this season.

New signing Darren Kokes scored two, with another debutant Christophe Ascherl scoring another. Steve Stewart (2), Liam McBryde (2) and Paul Taylor scored the others.

Hebburn have failed to win in their last nine matches.

Second placed Marske United were held to a 1-1 draw at Newton Aycliffe. Marske took the lead when Benn Thompson beat the Aycliffe keeper, but Dion Raitt levelled with a 25 yard free kick into the top corner of the net Jarrow Roofing strengthened their grip on third place by beating bottom club Birtley 2-1, while Guisborough were held 1-1 at home by Seaham Red Star.

North Shields are fifth after a 2-1 away win at Northallerton, while Stokesley beat Gillford Park 1-0 with a penalty by Andy Jennings, his 21st league goal of the season.

Darlington RA had a dreadful day, losing 7-1 at home to Whitehaven.

Washington have failed to win any of their last 14 matches after they were beaten 3-1 at home by Team Northumbria, while Thornaby drew 1- 1 with Brandon at Teesdale Park. Paul Gibson scored early on for Thornaby, with Ian Pritchard levelling on the half hour mark.

Crook went down 3-2 at Whickham. The home side led at half time with goals by Gary Andison and Scott Swanston, and after Lee Peachey pulled one back from the spot, Paul Cavanagh made it 3-1. Jason Brazauskas scored a late consolation.