A dramatic last gasp winner at Newcastle Benfield put Sunderland RCA six points clear at the top of the SNL First Division on Saturday.

Mark Davison headed a dramatic winner against one of their nearest rivals, and manager Neil Hixon said: “We’re not getting carried away by any means, but we’ve shown that we’re capable of competing against the best teams in the league.”

The RCA took the lead after 21 minutes when Andy Jennings finished off a good move by slotting the ball home, and after Benfield keeper Andy Grainger made two good saves, the home side levelled with a header by Paul Anthony.

Grainger kept his side in it with two more good saves, before Davison headed a free kick into the bottom corner in stoppage time. Benfield manager Paul Baker quit after the game, not because of the result, but on a matter of principle.

League champions Spennymoor failed to score for the second time in four days when they were held to a goalless draw at the UTS Stadium.

Moors had the edge on chances in the game with Gavin Cogdon missing when he was clean through, and then he put a header wide. Dunston keeper Liam Connell saved well from Keith Graydon, while at the other end Craig Turns pulled off good saves from Lee McAndrew and Anthony Hume.

The two sides meet again in the FA Cup this Saturday. Moors have put defender Jamie Poole on the transfer list Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley said; “It was a pleasing result, considering that Dunston isn’t one of those places you would want to go to after a midweek result like the one we had .”

Whitley Bay jumped from tenth to second thanks to a 4-1 win at Jarrow Roofing. Lee Kerr scored early on for Whitley from a Paul Robinson pass, then Robbie Dale dribbled through to score the second. Jarrow’s Paul Robinson pulled a goal back with a shot into the top corner, but in the second half, Damon Robson scored the third from a rebound. Robson scored the fourth from a Lee-Paul Scroggins assist.

Whitley are on 13 points, with six clubs on 12.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “We gave away four goals through poor mistakes. We had the same number of chances as them, but only took one. There wasn’t a lot in the game.”

Billingham Synthonia missed an opportunity to go clear second when they were thumped 5-1 at bottom club South Shields, who hadn’t picked up a point before Saturday. Tony Burnell headed Shields into the lead after 13 minutes, then debutant Lee Bell scored the second from the spot for a foul on Yanis Galas. It was 3-0 courtesy of a curler by Galas , and a big mix up in the Synners defence let Alex Benjamin to score the fourth before half time. Michael Pearson crossed for Andy Barclay to slide in the fifth after half time, while David Hillerby scored a late consolation from long range for Synners.

Billingham Synthonia assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “It was a disastrous first half.”

Marske United have now gone five games without a win after they were beaten 3-0 at home by Penrith, for the Cumbrians’ first victory of the season.

Daniel Robinson fired Penrith into the lead early in the game, with Ben Jackson making it 2-0 from 25 yards. Robinson added the third from the spot late in the game.

Marske manager Paul Burton said: “I kept the players back after the game for a chat. We’re not good enough in some departments.”

Billingham Town have now dropped into the bottom two after losing 3-2 at home to Ashington. Town took an early lead through Marcus Laing, but Darren Lough quickly equalised then Matty Grieve put them in front. Gareth Bainbridge put Ashington 3-1 up soon after the break with a neat chip , with Steve Flockett scoring for Town in the last minute.

Consett played out their second successive goalless draw, this time at home to Norton. Nathan Mulligan had an effort cleared off the line for Norton, while Consett striker Michael Mackay hit the crossbar in the second half.

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said: “It wasn’t a great game. Both sides were below strength because of injuries.”