Spennymoor reached the final of the Durham Challenge Cup for the second successive year when they beat West Auckland 1-0 at the Seagrave Stadium in their semi final last night.

West nearly took the lead in the opening 20 seconds, but Peter Jeffries pulled off a good save from Paul Garthwaite.

Moors recovered and took the lead on 6 minutes when Dan Taylor got away down the left and crossed low into the middle for Sonny Andrews to drive home.

Both sides had loud penalty appeals turned down, while Taylor had an effort touched around the post by Jordan Nixon.

In the second half, Andrews fired across the face of goal, while Dennis Knight put a free kick just over the bar as tempers rose and several players were booked. West piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but the Moors defence held out.

Moors play the winners of tonight’s semi final between Shildon and Consett on Good Friday at Eppleton.

In the ENL, Celtic Nation went six points clear of Shildon at the top after beating Ashington 2-0 at Gillford Park.

There were plenty of chances in the first half, but Nation took the lead when Colin McMenamin drove the ball home through a crowd of players for his 20th league goal of the season, then Micky Rae curled the second.

In the league cup, Whitehaven sprang the surprise of the night when they beat Vase quarter finalists Dunston UTS 3-1.

Dan Quayle, Darren Donald and Matt Tymon put Whitehaven 3-0 up, with Andy Bulford replying for Dunston, who had Micky Dixon sent off.

Marske united beat West Allotment 2-0 with second half goals by Scott Matthewman and Josh MacDonald.

In the second division, Jarrow Roofing are now five points behind leaders North Shields after beating Thornaby 2-1. They took the lead after 19 minutes when Andy Appleby set up Liam McBryde to score from a few yards, and on the half hour Steve Graham split the Thornaby defence for McBryde to volley home.

But Roofing didn’t press home their advantage in the second half, and Thornaby pulled a goal back on 70 minutes through Richie Walker.

Darlington RA drew 2-2 with bottom club Ryton at Brinkburn Road. Recent signing Adam Sakr and Steve Allison scored for the RA, with Tom Phillips and David Backhouse scoring for Ryton, who are now just a point behind second bottom Esh Winning, Tow Law drew 2-2 with Heaton Stannington at Ironworks Road. Lawyers took the lead after 17 minutes through Alex Wilson, but Jon Wright equalised on the half hour. Wright gave Heaton the lead with a penalty on 73 minutes, but Anth Lee levelled in the last minute. Lawyers also had keeper Steve Robinson dismissed for disputing the penalty.