Northern League: Seven-up Chester-le-Street enjoy day to savour, while Easington come from three down for point

Ryhope CW (red) celebrate going ahead against Morpeth Town in Saturday's Division One game. Picture by Tim Richardson

Colin Wake’s men recorded their biggest win of the season in style, completing a big double against the bottom club, following a 5-1 home victory in November.

Early goals from Michael Hepplewhite and Kieran Megran set the tone for the afternoon, though Alnwick fought back well to equalise through Darren Riddell and Robert Baker.

Hepplewhite put the Cestrians ahead again, before Alnwick’s chances receded when Peter Scott was sent off.

Chester capitalised on the man advantage and the floodgates opened, with Mark Peck (2), Daniel McGuire and Joshua King completing an ultimately comfortable triumph.

Chester host Jarrow tomorrow before visiting Esh Winning on Thursday.

Easington Colliery showed great character to come back from 3-0 down to secure a point at Bedlington Terriers in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Scott Lowery headed Bedlington in front, from Jack Foalie’s cross, then Paul Wardle’s excellent first-time strike beat keeper Kyle Donaldson.

It was 3-0 on 37 minutes as Lowery headed into the corner of the net.

But Easington rallied instantly, quickly pulling a goal back as Jack Pounder finished a through pass with a clinical finish.

David Vincent, Pounder and Liam Adamson passed up second-half chances for the Colliers, before two goals in a memorable minute got them level in spectacular fashion.

Adamson volleyed a brilliant goal to get Easington back to 3-2, from Pounder’s inch-perfect cross, then Tom Goundry equalised with a fierce strike from the edge of the box which proved too hot for the keeper to handle.

Easington next visit leaders Blyth on Wednesday.

Durham City were beaten heavily at Hebburn Town, going down 5-1, yet it was goalless at the break.

Craig Malley, Mechack Kanda, Dan Robinson and a brace from Paul Chow did the damage for promotion-chasing Hebburn, who avenged an away defeat back in November.

Jack Wilkie was on the scoresheet for City with an equaliser, but Hebburn proved too strong.

Durham host Thornaby in their delayed Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup tie tomorrow.

Willington moved up to eighth spot by beating Billingham Town 3-1 at Hall Lane.

Conor Winter gave the hosts the perfect start, scoring in the first minute, but Elliott Beddow soon equalised.

Matty Moffat and Damon Ellis both scored within 10 second-half minutes to clinch Willington’s success. Billingham’s Jason Blackburn was sent off late on.

Tow Law Town’s slim promotion chances suffered another big setback as they blew a 2-0 lead and eventually lost 3-2 at Northallerton Town.

The Lawyers took an early two-goal lead through Rhys Harbottle and Kai Hewitson, but the home side, second only on goal difference, fought back well with efforts from Jack Proctor and Stephen Jackson, before half-time.

Shaun Hudson then fired the winner with just four minutes left.

Esh Winning lost 2-0 at home to Thornaby, who kept up their promotion bid thanks to two Kallum Hannah goals, in the 48th and 76th minutes.

Blyth took back top spot as they defeated Whickham 1-0 in a very close encounter.

The all-important goal came from Michael Chilton after 76 minutes, with Ben Cains seeing red for the visitors, four minutes later.

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion edged a 2-1 home win over West Allotment Celtic.

Dean Walker’s penalty gave Celtic the interval lead, but Callum Turnbull and Martyn Hepple turned it around in the second half.

Crook Town’s home clash with Heaton Stannington was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.