South Shields and Billingham Synthonia set up Durham Challenge Cup final date at Hartlepool United

The pair came through last night’s semi-finals, with the Mariners winning 3-1 at Consett and Second Division Synthonia surprising Newton Aycliffe 3-2 away from home.

Shields’ 22nd successive victory was set up in the eighth minute when Andrew Stephenson danced his way past two defenders in the box before dinking the ball over home goalkeeper Peter Jeffries.

It was 2-0 on the half hour, when Carl Finnigan sent a superb left-foot volley over Jeffries’ head and in off the bar.

Shields all but sealed victory with a third goal two minutes after half-time when Stephenson scored his second, following Michael Richardson’s low ball across the box.

Consett pulled one back with 36 minutes left when Daniel Craggs’ corner hit Sullivan and then Sweet before nestling in the bottom corner. But Shields comfortably saw out the win, clinching their place in the final at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Park.

In the other semi-final, Billingham Synthonia hit a last-minute winner to KO Newton Aycliffe.

Nathan Mulligan gave Synners a fifth-minute lead, and Conor Winter quickly doubled their lead with a deflected shot. Charlie Raby’s free-kick and a Ben Wood strike levelled it up, but Macaulay Langstaff turned home a low cross for a last-minute winner.

Impressive Spennymoor Town improved their Evo-Stik League play-off hopes with a 2-1 win over runaway leaders Blyth Spartans, in front of a 946 crowd at the Brewery Field.

Kallum Griffifhs’ 25-yard free-kick, in off the bar, and a Jamie Chandler strike had Moors two up before Dan Maguire replied on 70 minutes.