Northern League: South Shields succumb to surprise defeat

Ben Telford, Ryan Bailey and Stephen McCabe struck for the Stann and, although Martyn Coleman and Ben Riding replied, the Mariners suffered only their fifth defeat of the season.

At the other end of the table, Birtley Town remain second-bottom after crashing 4-0 at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion, whose marksmen were Eddie Kennan (2), Matthew Fothergill and Adam Chrostowski.

Esh Winning are also in trouble, just three points above Birtley, after they also suffered a 4-0 reverse, at Northallerton, for whom Daniel McLachlan (2), Josh Keogh and Jack Dalton netted.

Hebburn Town won a thriller 4-3 at Brandon United, thanks to Channon North (2), Callum Smith and Glen Hargrave. James Ellis, who hit the opener, struck twice for Brandon, with Andrew Clarkson also on target.

Crook Town are looking for a new boss after the departure of Tony Boakes.

In Division One, Morpeth Town kept alive their championship chances with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Whitley Bay, who saw Jonny Godsmark taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Ben Sayer, Sean Taylor and Dale Pearson scored, taking Morpeth a point behind second-top Marske United, with two games in hand.

They trail leaders Shildon by 17 points but have played seven fewer matches.

Bishop Auckland are now up to fifth following a 2-1 home win over Dunston UTS.

Fred Woodhouse’s Two Blues opener was cancelled out by Aristote Guerin, but Andrew Johnson hit a stoppage time winnere.

Easington Colliery crashed out of the Cameron Brewery Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup, as Marske United strolled to a 5-0 quarter-final win thanks to efforts from Reece Kelly (3), Luke Bythway and Danny Brunskill.

North Shields beat Bedlington Terriers 4-1, with Dan Wilson, Curtis Coppen, Peter Glen-Ravenhill and Gary Ormston on target. Mark Dummett claimed a consolation for Terriers.

Guisborough visit Shields in the semis after pipping leaders Shildon 3-2 following extra time. Billy Greulich Smith and Ben Wood notched for the Railwaymen.