DURHAM City leapt six places and are now up to mid-table in the Ebac Northern League First Division following last night’s 2-0 victory over Hebburn Town on South Tyneside.
The Citizens went ahead on 24 minutes. Conor Winter advanced into the box and crossed to the far post where Paul Dixon tapped in past goalkeeper Dan Regan.
Hebburn went further behind after 33 minutes when they conceded a penalty.
Chris Jewels and Winter challenged for the ball and when Winter went down, the referee pointed to the spot. Ollie Hotchkiss stepped forward and kept his cool to deliver a good finish which Regan could not prevent from entering the net, via a post.
There was a further blow for Hebburn on the stroke of half-time when Callum Charlton was shown a second yellow card.
Durham were comfortable against ten men and Hebburn’s only real chance came just before the end when City goalkeeper Gareth Young saved from Stuart Nicholson.
Two teams near the bottom of the table shared the points in Cumbria. Billingham Town built up a two-goal cushion with a brace from Harrison Davies.
Martin Coleman reduced the deficit with a direct free-kick early in the second half and Matthew Read earned Penrith a vital point, converting a penalty on the hour mark.
South Shields remain bottom after going down to Ashington at Filtrona Park.
Andrew Johnson pounced on 47 minutes after goalkeeper James Winter had parried a shot from Liam Atkin and mid-way through the second period, Johnson was again on target, this time driving the ball home from 18 yards.
In Division Two, Tow Law Town maintained their recent impressive away form with victory at Birtley Town.
After an hour, Stephen Turnbull beat the wall and Birtley goalkeeper Andrew Mallinson with a superbly directed free-kick from outside the penalty area.
And almost immediately, Daniel Wilson also beat the keeper from 18 yards for 2-0.
Darlington RA re-ignited their promotion challenge when they also won by a two-goal margin at Thornaby.
They made a dream start, scoring in the third minute as Martin Butterworth tapped in following a cross from Stephen Allison.
Thornaby, who are too near the bottom for comfort, conceded a second goal from the penalty spot. Jamie Muir comfortably beat Nick Farrell to secure three points for Darlington RA, who move into the top six.
MALCOLM PRATT
