Spennymoor Town reached the semi finals of the Durham Challenge Cup by knocking holders Billingham Synthonia out of the competition 4-1 at the Brewery Field yesterday afternoon.

The holders stunned Moors by taking the lead after 4 minutes with a low shot by Danny Newby, and then two minutes later Moors’ striker Micky Rae hit a penalty for a foul on Gavin Cogdon over the top.

However, Moors levelled on 32 minutes when Michael Laws scored from a right wing cross, and just on half time Craig Ruddy put them into the lead with a low shot.

When Moors were given another penalty for handball after 48 minutes, Steve Capper assumed penalty duties and scored from the spot. Near the end, they were assured of a place in the next round when Calvin Smith and Cogdon set up Chris Emms to score from 20 yards.

In the first division, Esh Winning are stuck in the bottom two after they were beaten 2-0 at home by Billingham Town.

The visitors took the lead after 20 minutes when Craig Norman was brought down in the area, and after Micky Dunwell’s spot kick was saved, he scored from the rebound.

Andy Jennings made the points safe just after half time, when he scored with a 15 yarder.

Whitley Bay struggled to beat bottom club Ryton 3-1 at Hillheads. Paul Chow headed Whitley into the lead after 5 minutes from a Paul Robinson corner, and then Chris Fawcett got the second after 26 minutes from a rebound.

Ryton caused a scare when Liam Hudson pulled a goal back, and there were only two minutes when Gary Ormston headed the third from close range.

Ashington beat West Allotment 2-1. Phil Bell and Stephen Young put them 2-0 up, before Ian Dunn scored a late consolation.