Former Newton Aycliffe striker Dale Jardine (pictured) scored the last goal of the Northern League first division season, as his new club Sunderland RCA beat Dunston UTS 2-1.
Jardine, who left Moore Lane Park in March, scored a last gasp winner as the Ryhope club ended the season in fourth, two points adrift of Dunston in third.
Newtonian Brian Atkinson’s new side Spennymoor had wrapped up the league title on Monday night, as Moors beat Dunston 1-0. West Auckland could have secured the league title at the weekend, but were beaten 3-1 away at Ashington and Atkinson and Co. grasped the opportunity to win a third-straight title.
Aycliffe ended their first-ever season in ninth position, sandwiched between local rivals Bishop Auckland (eighth) and Shildon (10th) in the table.
It was the same position the Newtonians finished in their first campaign in the second division in the 2009/10 season.
At the bottom, Stokesley were relegated without picking up a single victory. They will be joined in the second division by Tow Law and Jarrow Roofing.
Joining the first division are Team Northumbria, who beat Aycliffe in the League Cup this campaign, with Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick’s brother Graeme scoring in a 3-1 victory.
Also promoted are Gillford Park and Hebburn, the latter of which Aycliffe are unbeaten against in four previous fixtures.
For the final league table, click here
