South Shields striker Alex Benjamin scored a superb goal from just on the halfway line in his side’s 4-1 win at Newton Aycliffe last night.

Shields took the lead on 3 minutes through Stephen Ramsey from a few yards out following a good run by Benjamin down the left, and then a low free kick from the Shields right by Paul Talbot went straight through the Aycliffe defence along the ground and in at the far post.

Then came Benjamin’s special goal, when he latched on to a loose ball, spotted Pocklington off his line, and coolly chipped the keeper from all of 50 yards to make it 3-0.

Aycliffe improved in the second half when John Close pulled a goal back on 77 minutes, but Benjamin struck again in the last minute when he dispossessed Pocklington and rolled the ball home. Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver said: "We're a young team, with some great performances, but there's no consistency. On the field, the players are looking for somebody to take charge -- we haven't got enough experience in the team." Shields manager Gary Steadman said: "We played very well. there were some good goals and we defended well. It was a class goal by Alex for the third."

Champions Spennymoor were denied all three points against Newcastle Benfield by a last minute goal.

Sonny Andrews gave Moors the lead with a glancing header from a Keith Graydon free kick, but Benfield levelled in the last minute when Adam Scope pounced on a mistake by Michael Laws, and ran 30 yards to score. Moors manager Jason Ainsley said: "We dominated the game, but a lack of experience right at the end has killed us."

Whitley Bay ended their recent poor run with an easy 4-0 away win at Guisborough. Robbie Dale (2), Phil Bell and Paul Chow were their scorers. Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said; "We were beaten by a better team, but three defensive mistakes didn't help our cause!" Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: "A much needed three points and performance. It could have been a few goals more but Guisborough worked very hard and kept going throughout. It was great to see the front three on the score sheet, Phil Bell was as good as I’ve seen him, he played wide right as well."

In the Ernest Armstrong Cup, Northallerton beat Washington 3-2 at Ainderby Road, after being 2-1 down on 55 minutes. Colin Anderson scored twice to give them victory, his second being the winner in the last minute. Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: We used a young side tonight with some fringe players and youngsters from our academy, and with a bit more composure, we could have won by more." Washington manager Richie Latimer said: "I was disappointed to lose in the last two minutes, but Northallerton were good for their win. You can't keep the ball and pass as bad as we did tonight."

STL Northern League Division One.

Guisborough 0 Whitley Bay 4 (Dale 2, Bell, Chow), Newton Aycliffe 1 (Close) South Shields 4 (Ramsey, Talbot, Benjamin 2), Spennymoor Town 1 (Andrews) Newcastle Benfield 1 (Scope).

Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.

Northallerton 3 (Anderson 2, Bulmer) Washington 2 (Lee, Rush).