The final games of the regular Northern League season were played today (Saturday 30th April) and in the Second Division, Carlisle City were crowned champions, pipping long time leaders Heaton Stannington on goal difference after a remarkable run which saw the Cumbrians win their last eight games. Carlisle are promoted but with play offs introduced this season to determine the second promoted club, Heaton will meet Easington Colliery, who held Stan to a 2-2 draw today, at Grounsell Park on Wednesday while Boldon CA, in their first season as a Northern League club, will be at home to Tow Law Town on Tuesday, with the winners of those two games meeting on Saturday in the play off final.
Second Division basement side Durham City avoided the unwanted distinction of going a whole season without a victory thanks to a 1-0 win against Washington in their final game of the season.
Meanwhile in the first ever Step4/Step 5 play offs, First Division runners up Consett won promotion to the Northern Premier League East Division thanks to a 2-1 victory against Histon in Cambridgeshire.
Former Northern League sides Marske United and Stockton Town met in another play off game at Mount Pleasant with Marske earning a 2-1 victory and promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
The composition of the Northern League First and Second Divisions for next season will be decided by the Football Association after the completion of all the play off games.
