Shildon AFC kept pace with Northern League Division One leaders, Bishop Auckland FC in the title race as both sides recorded 4-0 home wins at the weekend.
The Railwaymen swept Crook Town aside with two goals in each half and in the process mathematically confirmed their place in the promotion playoffs.
Luke Spalding gave the hosts the lead in ten minutes, bursting into the the penalty area before firing over the keeper and into the top corner.
Ben Reay doubled the lead just before the half hour when he reacted first after Alex White’s header from a cross had cannoned off the bar.
The club’s top scorer, Joe Posthill, was next on the scoresheet, curling home a spectacular free kick from the left side of the penalty area on 66 minutes.
And the striker was on the scoresheet again nine minutes from time when he converted his 33rd league goal of the season from the spot.
Shildon now host North Shields this Saturday and, with the leaders having a day off, should the Railwaymen collect maximum points, they will go into Easter Monday’s crucial derby at Heritage Park just three points behind, setting up a potential title decider.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
