Division One, Shildon 8, Northallerton Town 3.

NORTHALLERTON Town are now in serious danger of slipping into the division one relegation dogfight following last Saturday's mauling at third-placed Shildon.

Manager Paul Burton was again unable to field his strongest side as central defenders David Goodchild and Stuart Jackson, along with midfielder Andrew Swalwell, were still missing due to injury.

Goalkeeper Sam Dobbs was forced to play despite still recovering from injury, as was striker Craig Skelton, who was on the bench.

But Burton was able to recall winger Karl Charlton and midfielder Chris Walker.

Shildon made the better start and took the lead in only the ninth minute through Adam Emson, who scored with a fine 15-yard drive following a good run and cross from the right by Dan Moore.

Emson had a great chance to make it two for Shildon two minutes later when he was clear on goal, but he fired into the side-netting at the second attempt after Dobbs blocked his first shot.

But Emson made amends in the 15th minute when he scored with a simple tap-in after the static Town defence failed to clear a left-wing cross from Stuart Niven.

Northallerton had produced nothing in a one-sided first half and it was no surprise when Shildon added a third just before the break through Simon Ord, who finished with a well-placed shot from just inside the area following a great run through the middle.

Shildon went further ahead five minutes into the second period, Emson completing his hat-trick when he was on hand to tap into an empty net from inside the six-yard box after Dobbs had made a good save to deny Andy Jennings.

Town's first real chance came in the 55th minute when Charlton was clear through on goal, but home keeper Andy Spence spread himself well to save with an outstretched leg.

But Charlton did reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute when he was put clear through the middle by a superb forward pass from Skelton.

Northallerton's leading scorer made no mistake as he rounded Spence before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Shildon hit back and added a fifth in the 65th minute through ex-Northallerton player Jason Newall, who tapped in at the far post following a deep cross from Niven.

Charlton added his second goal of the game in the 70th minute with a superb strike from just outside the area which curled into the top left-hand corner and Micky Waller added a third for Town five minutes later when he side-footed home from ten yards following a scramble in the Shildon area.

Sensing an amazing comeback, Town threw players forward, but they were caught on the break three times in the last ten minutes.

Jennings made it 6-3 in the 80th minute when he finished off a fine move following a left-wing cross from Emson.

Emson, who is being watched by several Football League clubs, then scored his fourth with a lob over Dobbs and Jennings completed the rout three minutes from time when he easily beat Dobbs with a 12-yard drive.

Northallerton are at home tomorrow when Whitley Bay are the visitors, kick-off 3pm.

They then travel to Darlington RA on Boxing Day for an 11am kick-off and are at home to Durham City on Saturday, December 30, kick-off 3pm.

Darlington RA scored a last-minute goal to earn a 2-2 draw at Horden.

The RA took the lead just before half-time when Michael Carter showed good control to score from close range.

But Horden levelled when Gus Di Lella crossed for Peter Crawford to score from a few yards.

Horden thought they had picked up three vital points when Darren Atkinson converted a penalty for a foul by Chris Trotter on Nicky Martin, but Nick Harrison rescued a point for the RA with a diving header in the last minute.

Division Two

Guisborough are back into fifth place after they scored four times in the second half to beat North Shields.

After a goalless first half, Michael Wilson put Guisborough ahead from the edge of the box before James Poole scored from the spot after a foul on Mark Wood.

Michael Dowse charged down a clearance by the Shields keeper for the third, and Wilson cracked in the fourth.

Stokesley produced one of their best performances of the season to win 5-3 at Hebburn.

They went an early goal behind to Gary McCartney, but Stuart Wise levelled from close range and Hebburn defender Danny Grey put through his own goal before Nathan Liddell scored from the spot following a foul on Craig Johnson to put Stokesley 3-1 up.

McCartney pulled one back before half-time, but Johnson beat two defenders to make it 4-2 and Paul Callan finished off a right-wing move for the fifth. Joe Donaghie scored a late consolation for Hebburn.

Esh Winning won for the first time in six matches to climb two places to fifth from bottom.

Kevin Dixon put them in front, with Chris Smith adding a second. John Ryan pulled a goal back for Thornaby, but Smith made sure near the end.

Brandon led three times at Marske, but had to settle for a 3-3 draw. Andy Johnson put Brandon in front three times, but they were pegged back in turn by Mark James, Darren Sankey and Jonathan Stott, the third equaliser coming just two minutes from the end.