Dropped points at the weekend saw Bishop Auckland FC’s lead at the top of Northern League Division One narrow to just three points, albeit the Two Blues also have a game in hand.
Generous
A last gasp penalty in added time earned West Allotment Celtic a home draw after Bishops had taken the lead themselves from the spot with a generous award after Louis Johnson was adjudged to have been fouled in the box in the 24th minute.
Craig Gott stepped forward to dispatch the spot kick, but the side were unable to add to their tally before the hosts earned themselves a point with their own award late in the game.
To add to Bishops’ woes, JJ Bartliff collected a second yellow card and his marching orders in the aftermath of the foul.
Gap narrows
Meanwhile, title rivals, Shildon AFC won comfortably by 4-0 at home to Seaham Red Star to narrow the gap at the top.
In addition, the Railwaymen, who have been in freescoring form, overtook Bishops in the goal difference, and goals scored columns, having found the net 44 times in a nine-game winning run since their Boxing Day defeat at the hands of the Two Blues.
The weekend’s dropped points were the second drawn game for Bishops in the same period, having also drawn at home against Guisborough in the game after that famous 5-1 win at Dean Street.
This weekend Bishops will host North Shields, who lost 2-0 to West Allotment in midweek, while Shildon travel north to take on Heaton Stannington.
Race
As the title race heats up once again with just ten games to go to the finishing line – eleven for Bishops – a busy March may prove the decisive month with both sides playing six times.
However, if both maintain their form into the following month, the pivotal game may come on 1 April when Bishops host Shildon going into the final four weeks of the campaign.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
