Sunderland RCA were relegated to the ENL Second Division last night when fourth bottom Newcastle Benfield won 2-1 at Consett.

Gary Ormston and Steve Bowey scored twice inside five minutes approaching half time, with Michael Mackay replying just on the half time whistle. Benfield were leading 2-0 at Consett a fortnight ago when the match was abandoned because of a floodlight failure.

However, the RCA might be reprieved from relegation if Bedlington, who have a winding up order against them, drop out of the league.

League runners up Spennymoor drew 2-2 at Dunston, to give them 103 points for the season, the same as two years ago when they won the league.

Gavin Cogdon and Micky Rae put Moors 2-0 up, before Andy Bulford and Ian Herron (penalty) hit back for Dunston. Cogdon missed a late penalty for Moors.

The FA is due to announce the constitution of its leagues very soon, and with teams in other parts of the country turning down promotion and dropping out of step four, then there might still be a possibility that the FA might come and cherry pick the FA Vase winners, although the FA told the Northern League it would only take the league champions at the start of this season.

Shildon drew 1-1 at Team Northumbria, Shildon’s John Brackstone cancelling out the opener by TN’s Peter Watling.