Shildon assistant manager Mark Hudson praised his team’s defending after the Railwaymen clinched a crucial 1-0 away win at Hebburn on Saturday.

The victory put them in clear second place in the table, three points ahead of Hebburn, but more importantly ten ahead of fourth placed North Shields, who have two games in hand.

“It was a great all-round performance,” said Hudson. “We played really well in the first half and caused them problems in behind. We were far sharper to everything first half and deservedly went in 1-0 at half time.

“We knew they would have a go in the second half and we defended so well as a unit to keep them out. The back four outstanding with the three midfielders equally as good. It was a great away performance.”

Shildon’s top scorer Billy Greulich-Smith was the matchwinner, scoring from the penalty spot in the first half, his 31st goal in all competitions this season.

Shildon’s cause was helped by North Shields’ 0-0 draw with Ashington.

Stockton are 13 points clear at the top after they were held to a 0-0 draw at West Auckland, in a wind-spoilt game. They now need eight points from eight games to clinch promotion.

Manager Micky Dunwell said; “It was a good away point in tough conditions. It’s another step closer to promotion looking at other results.”

West manager Gary Forrest said; “It wasn’t a great game. I thought we shaded it with possession but neither side did enough to win the game.”

Newton Aycliffe kept their top three hopes alive with a 4-1 away win at Penrith.

Jake Petitjean and Liam Jarvie put Aycliffe 2-0 up in the first half, and Penrith gave themselves some hope when Stuart Johnson pulled a goal back on 76 minutes.

But Jarvie and Marc Costello scored twice to give Aycliffe the points and put them fifth, eight points adrift of Hebburn with a game in hand.

Bishop Auckland were held to a 1-1 draw at ten man Thornaby.

The relegation battlers had Jamie Poole sent off early in the game for two yellows, just minutes after Dale Hopson gave them the lead. Bishops’ pressure paid off when Jackson Waller equalised with seven minutes left.

Bishop Auckland manager Ian Chandler said; “It was a much-improved performance. Even when it was 11 v 11 we made three or four good opportunities which we should have scored from, but after they scored and had Jamie Poole sent off, after that it was pretty much one way traffic where we did everything but score. Thankfully we did get our reward when Jackson Waller finished off a very good move. We probably deserved three points but after last week a point was very welcome.”

Northallerton are still bottom after they lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle Benfield, the visitors going 2-0 up in the first half through Joe Ronson and Denis Knight before Connor Dunlavy pulled a goal back in the second half.

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “It was another disappointing result, however felt we gave it a good go and deserved more from the game. The difference was that Benfield had more quality than us and they took their chances.

“I felt we had more of the possession but could not craft out the opportunities we needed to win the game. We also felt the game ultimately hinged on a penalty appeal for us at one end that we felt was in the box and the referee gave on the line , then seconds later Benfield get awarded a penalty that was not even a tackle -- the attacker has pulled his leg back to shoot and caught the recovering defender and went down.”

Guisborough drew 2-2 at Sunderland Ryhope CW thanks to two second half goals by Craig Hutchinson after they were 2-0 down at half time.

Manager Gary Forster said; “We were nowhere near where we should have been in the first half, but we were much better in the second.”

Billingham Town had a bad day, losing 4-2 at home to Whickham, Luke Hogan and Chris Dickinson scoring for them in the first half.

 

 

In the second division, Crook Town dropped from second to third after they lost 1-0 at home to Chester-le-Street, Crook’s Jordan Fielding putting through his own goal six minutes before half time.

Crook manager Jamie Tunstall said; “I was disappointed with the result and largely the performance. Chester came with a game plan and it worked. We didn't do enough with our possession and played into their hands really. They defended very well and made it difficult for us. We've had enough chances in the second half to win the game it just wasn't meant to be. Huge game for us next in a derby against Willington so a perfect opportunity to bounce back.”

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was a really dogged disciplined performance against a really good Crook side. We rode our luck at times in the second half, but we were resolute throughout keeping Crook at distance for most of the game. I felt the performance that we put in was worthy of something from the game and given our recent run of results it gives us a timely boost going into the last couple of months.”

Crook were overtaken by Redcar, who beat Tow Law 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Sam Webster for the second week running. Tow Law are eighth, ten points off the top four.

Tow Law manager Micky Vasey said; “It was a disappointing result. We hit the bar twice and the post once, but they scored last kick of the game through a wind assisted goal. But we go again after an eleven-game run only dropping two points.”

There was some consolation for Crook, as previous fifth placed Ryton and Crawcrook were held by Washington, so Heaton Stannington moved above them.

Redcar manager Steve Connolly said; “We wouldn't be bullied. Three points and a clean sheet were nothing more than we deserved.”

 

Billingham Synthonia won their sixth straight league game to stay nicely in fourth after they won 1-0 at Esh Winning, Leon Carling with the goal.

Esh had Callum Boakes sent off, and two others sin binned during the game. Manager Tony Boakes said; “There wasn’t a bad tackle in the game.”

Billingham manager Dave Dickson said; “I thought we dominated throughout, but our decision-making was poor.”

Willington drew 0-0 at Sunderland West End, and manager Ibby Hassan said; “The weather got the better of both teams today with very little football played. We were reduced to ten men in the 48th minute following a poor decision by the referee too which affected our game plan. I felt that although we were down a man, we battled hard and got a clean sheet. Probably a game that neither team deserved to win or lose. “

Durham City are four points adrift at the bottom after losing 2-1 at home to Birtley, and are four points behind second bottom Brandon, who draw 1-1 at Easington on Friday night.

 

Consett are through to the semi finals of the Buildbase FA Vase after winning 3-1 at Atherstone.

The Steelmen were a goal down at half time, but Jermaine Met equalised on the hour.

Consett’s stamina told in extra time, when Calvin Smith scored twice and also hit the bar.

Consett will now play Bitton in a two legged semi final, while Hebburn will play Corinthian.