Over-40s League: Burns the saviour as Victoria hit back to deny Penshaw Catholic Club

Penshaw were the stronger team in the first half, on a poor Glebe Park surface, with midfielder John Spence shining and they deservedly went ahead when fit-again striker Chris Moody latched onto a great ball over the defence, sprinted clear and dispatched the ball past the oncoming keeper.

Victoria started the second half better, taking the game to Penshaw, while their defence was marshalled by man of the match Neil Johnson.

However, it took a defensive mistake for them to level at 1-1 as Steve Burns converted a far-post cross, in what looked like an offside position.

Impressive Ryhope Foresters picked up their fourth win, 3-1 at lowly Darlington Shuttle and Loom, while Easington Colliery CIU enjoyed an excellent 3-1 victory against Spennymoor Town.

Redhouse WMC rose to eighth place on the back of a 2-1 win at bottom club Wallsend Community.

Hylton CW slipped to 10th after a 3-1 home loss to joint leaders Hartlepool Workies.

Hylton cut the deficit to 2-1 late on, scrambling home after the visitors failed to deal with a corner.

Hylton laid siege to Workies’ goal in the next 10 minutes, but they could not force an equaliser, and the Hartlepool side broke to hit a clinching third goal.

Grindon Broadway stayed second in Division One, and cut the gap to leaders Whitley Bay Seahorse, with a 3-2 home victory over Newton Aycliffe Cobblers Hall.

Seahorse lost 3-2 to third-top South Shields, while Seaham Marlborough are fifth following a 2-2 draw at Blakelaw SC, Thornley Celtic crashed 6-0 to Wallsend BC and Sherburn Village went down 2-0 at Ferryhill Greyhound.

Plains Farm Alldec sit bottom of Division Two after a 1-0 defeat at Darsley Park, while Mill View and Dubmire drew 1-1 in their mid-table battle.

Peterlee Helford United succumbed 3-1 at Woodhorn Lane, while South Shields Catholic Club below a 2-0 lead as Hartlepool Catholic Club rallied for a point.

Ivy Legends sit third in Division Three after a 2-0 triumph against Hartlepool Stag & Monkey.

The home side were in front on the half hour, carving open the Stag defence with ease, and doubled their lead just after half-time in similar fashion.

Leaders Pelton Roseberry Grange won 2-1 at fellow high-fliers Durham County Strollers, while second-top Washington JFC Biddick Inn pipped The Philadelphia 3-2.

Houghton Cricket Club moved off the foot of the table with a 3-0 win over Hartlepool Vets, who are now bottom, while Rolls-Royce drew 1-1 at Wingate Constitutional Club.

In Division Four, Wearmouth Old Boys turned on the style to go fifth with a 6-1 demolition of Pennywell Comrades.

Doxy Lad lost 3-1 to Sedgefield, while bottom club Pennywell Vets were beaten 6-1 by leaders Hartlepool Jacksons Arms and Boldon Colliery Tavern succumbed 2-0 at Durham County Veterans.

Gateshead Redheugh edged a 6-5 thriller against second-top Hedworthfield Red Hackle.