Ebac northern league
BRIAN Smith bemoaned missed opportunities as North Shields fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Bishop Auckland.
A goal in each half from Craig Gott and Louis Johnson was enough to take the Two Blues a step closer to promotion – but Smith felt his side could have made life more awkward for their visitors.
He told The Journal: “The chances we had, we didn’t take and they took their opportunities. I think it’s as straightforward as that.
“We’ve brought in a few more players and some of the lads are getting fitter. We have a good mix of youth and experience. It’s jut about managing that workload and making sure we can go into every game as strong as possible but there has been progress.”
Shildon ensured they remain in the title race by coming from a goal down to see off Heaton Stannington at Dean Street. The play-off-chasing visitors took the lead just after the quarter-hour with a goal from Leighton Hopper but Billy Greulich-Smith’s brace and a goal each for Max Allen and Luke Spalding kept the Railwaymen’s title push on track.
Birtley Town’s play-off hopes took a slight blow as Daniel Hill’s brace helped Carlisle City recover from an early Matthew Ward strike to claim a 2-1 win over the Hoops.
Boro Rangers came out on top in a seven-goal thriller against Whitley Bay.
After falling behind to a Lewis Suddick goal, the hosts looked to be well on their way to a win thanks to a Stuart Rose brace and a Dan Lofts strike.
Jos Storr’s brace gave the Bay some hope of securing what felt like an unlikely points – but there was a late blow for the visitors as Callum Hickman gave Rangers a dramatic win.
Scott Robson’s 100th goal for Whickham went without reward as a Jack Blackford brace gave Redcar Athletic a 2-1 win at the Glebe Sports Ground and Crook Town eased to a 4-0 home win against Newcastle Benfield.
Seaham Red Star were denied what would have been an impressive win at Guisborough Town as James Frazer’s 96th-minute equaliser cancelled out a strike from Red Star midfielder Mark Robinson.
Josh Shilham scored twice as Tow Law Town claimed only their second win of the season as they edged out Northallerton Town at Ironworks Road, while West Auckland Town hit five at Penrith.
A Connor Campbell brace and a goal apiece from Cyril Giraud, Luke Parkinson and Lucas Lowery-Matondo helped West Allotment Celtic to a 5-1 win at Sunderland RCA.
Bedlington Terriers moved into second place in the Division Two table by claiming a narrow win at Easington Colliery. A Joe Thompson penalty was the difference between the two sides as Terriers claimed a win on the East Durham coast, despite having James Wilson sent off five minutes from time.
Veteran defender Michael Nelson and Kobe Bewicke were both on target as Chester-le-Street United earned a 2-0 win at Prudhoe YC, and Washington’s season of struggle continued as Matthew Frazer and Daniel Bean netted in Redcar Town’s 2-0 win over the Mechanics.
Ryton and Crawcrook Albion and Billingham Synthonia shared the spoils at Kingsley Park as home striker Aaron Costello cancelled out a first-half opener Declan Brown.
Euan McBride, Harry Close and Matthew Bell all scored to give Billingham Town a 3-1 home win against Brandon United as Ezzeldin Elbasty’s late strike failed to spark a comeback for their visitors, while Thornaby and Esh Winning could not be separated with a 1-1 draw at Teesdale Park.