Goal-shy Horden CW again paid the penalty when South Shields won last night's Skilltrainingltd Northern League First Division game at Welfare Park.
Craig Veart's side had chances but failed to find the net and the Mariners showed them the way to goal, scoring twice in three minutes immediately before the interval.
A defensive mistake allowed Craig Ellison to find Johnny Wightman for the open
er and Stephen Ramsey added a quickfire second.
Horden remain fourth from bottom and have scored fewer goals than any other side, their 15 matches yielding only 18.
Esh Winning moved up to third from bottom with a crucial 4-1 victory over basement club West Auckland Town.
Liam Clough delivered a clinical finish into the top corner on 12 minutes but West soon levelled as David Manson converted a simple chance.
Two goals in three minutes by Keiron Megran and Stuart Thompson had West on the back foot and just before the end Tony Hanson completed a comprehensive victory for Esh – only their second of the season.
At the other end of the table, Whitley Bay bounced back to form as Paul Robinson claimed a hat-trick in a 7-0 rout of Norton & Stockton Ancients. Lee Kerr, David Coulson, Paul Chow and Adam Johnston also scored.
Billingham Synthonia led at the interval through Tom Marron and Darren Hollingsworth but Ryton ended 4-2 winners courtesy of James Allsopp, Kevin Dixon and Alex Benjamin (2).
Marc Walton's 75th-minute goal eased Morpeth Town into the Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup third round at the expense of Crook Town.
