ASHINGTON edged out Carlisle City in a seven-goal clash to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Cumbrians.

The Sky Blues, though, began brightly and went ahead with Carl Murphy’s good finish in the 17th minute.

Liam Davison levelled from the penalty spt on the half-hour, but Mark Graham restored the Cumbrians’ advantage in the 52nd minute.

Ashington stormed back and Glen Bolton levelled six minutes later.

They took the lead for the first time when David Brown curled a free-kick around the wall in the 67th minute.

City’s Stuart Hill equalised in the 77th minute, but an excellent end-to-end game was settled in the 81st minute by Ant Watson.

Ponteland United boss Jarrod Suddick could only watch on in horror as Rutherford’s Andy Reay volleyed in a last-gasp winner which completed an amazing turnaround.

United looked to be cruising as first- half goals from Nkuriza Suaibu (2) and John Dunn put them in total control.

However, GB deaf international Reay pulled one back in the 57th minute and United were rocking when Dan Hill further reduced the deficit.

Elliott Dodd levelled in the 76th minute and Reay shot home from 15 yards in the dying seconds.

Suddick, who guided United to the title last term, and his assistant Steve Baxter, who has been with the club for 20 years, quit in the dressing room afterwards and United are seeking a new management team.

Chairman Alan Birkinshaw can be contacted on 07774 523 762.

Gary Yates scored twice as Heaton Stannington went top of the table.

After a fairly even half, Yates struck five minutes before the interval to give the black and whites the lead at Murton and he doubled the advantage on the hour.

Substitute Kevin Carr came off the bench to fire in the third ten minutes later as Heaton won their

Chris McDonald's opener for Hebburn Reyrolle was cancelled out when Blyth Town's David Atkinson headed home and when Ray Oshin netted for the visitors in the 82nd minute it looked to be the winner.

Town, though, had other ideas and the game was into injury time when Daniel Beresford headed a second equaliser.