Bogie strikes to keep alive Easington Colliery's promotion dreams

A 2-1 victory at Crook Town keeps them in sixth place although they are 11 points adrift of third-top Chester-le-Street.

Stephen Fothergill was an early marksman for the Millfield men, driving his shot wide of goalkeeper Kyle Donaldson, but right on the stroke of half time, the Colliers equalised as Luke Page capitalised on culpable defending.

It looked as if bottom six side Crook would take a point but in the very last minute, goalkeeper Ryan Graham parried a shot and Stephen Bogie fired the rebound into the net.

Second-top Billingham Synthonia were lucky to take a share of the points from the local derby with Billingham Town who twice led through Jamie Davis and captain Andrew Lambert.

Stephen Roberts had equalised for Synners who looked to be on their way to a damaging defeat when they still trailed going into added time.

But in the 94th minute, skipper Josh Rowbotham headed in a dramatic equaliser.

Synners are now seven points behind leaders South Shields, who have three games in hand, while Chester-le-Street remain third, four points adrift of the Teessiders with one additional game to play.

In Division One, there were mixed results for Durham City who are very much involved in the relegation dog-fight.

The Citizens are sandwiched between basement side Norton and Stockton Ancients and Bedlington Terriers who, despite giving an encouraging performance, went down to Morpeth Town.

Shaun Taylor and Jordan Fry were the matchwinners with Jonathan Wright on target for Bedlington.

Whitley Bay took a step towards safety by defeating neighbours North Shields.

A bumper crowd of 954 at Hillheads saw Andy Robertson, making a first appearance for more than a year, score both goals.

Manager Ian Chandler was delighted when Robertson glanced a header past Shaun McCafferty on 17 minutes and just before the interval, he was again on target, sliding the ball wide of the goalkeeper.

Newcastle Benfield remain five places and six points above the relegation zone, but will be disappointed at losing 3-2 at Penrith.

Twice ahead through Stephen Tobin and Josh Scott, the Tynesiders still led going into the final minute.

Ben Jackson had restored parity, but a Benfield win was on the cards until Tyler Bowman levelled in the 90th minute and deep into added time Adam Main clinched a dramatic winner.

H Stockton Town retained the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup with a 1-0 victory over Cleator Moor Celtic in yesterday’s Final on Teesside.

The only goal came after 55 minutes when Ben Priestley headed in a cross from Matthew Garbutt past goalkeeper Craig Devine.

Stockton missed the chance of a second goal as Devine saved a Kalumn Hannah penalty.