By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe played their part in what could have been a historic day for the club but their victory over Brandon was in vain as rivals Marske United and Team Northumbria also collected maximum points meaning Allan Oliver's side must wait a week before cementing their promotion.
Two goals from Warren Byrne and a fine Ben Wood effort ensured an easy afternoon at home to second bottom Brandon - who missed a late penalty - but Marske's victory at Whickham and Team Northumbria's defeat of Northallerton meant the champagne stayed on ice and will now be brought to Seaham Red Star next weekend as Aycliffe's fate is now in their own hands.
The club also find themselves just seven points from securing the division two title as closest rivals North Shields slipped up at Guisborough in what is shaping up to be a dramatic battle for the remaining two promotion spots, with no fewer than five sides still in with a chance of glory.
Oliver, himself returning from a break in Cheltenham, recalled John Close to his starting line-up in place of Anth Campbell who was still feeling the effects of a leg injury sustained in the midweek win at Whickham, meaning a shift to left back for 20-year-old Mark Peck. Skipper Sean Tarling returned at the expense of Josh Knox in the middle of the park.
In what was another cagey opening in front of the 200-plus crowd, the Newtonians best effort was a flash shot from Wood inside the opening 15 minutes, but the former Sunderland reserve team player saw his well-struck shot race across the face of Ryan Graham's goal at the Gretna End of the ground.
Anth Verity swung some decent balls into the Aycliffe area no little avail while John Guy saw his 20-yard free-kick sail harmlessly high over Scott Pocklington's goal after 25 minutes. Byrne meanwhile at the other end went one better than Guy and sent a similar effort outside of the perimeter fence as the half hour mark loomed.
The 36-goal hitman wasn't to be dejected for too much longer though and he grabbed his 37th of the campaign after 33 minutes when he picked himself up from Guy's rash challenge to smash the resultant penalty straight down the centre of Graham's goal, with a little help from the underside of the crossbar.
This eased Aycliffe, who came into the game a lot more and they doubled their lead with just 60 seconds remaining in the opening period. Dan Mellanby cleverly linked up with Wood, sending the 19-year-old through on goal to dance round the advancing stopper - on loan from Bishop Auckland - before firing into the open net from eight yards.
It was Wood's sixth goal in just 10 games for his home town club as he proves to be a valuable asset in Oliver's artilery.
Four minutes after the restart and Byrne notched his second of the afternoon to seal the points. Stuart Owen swung a right wing corner into the area and the former Shildon man had the simplest of tasks in turning home the dropping ball at the back post. Byrne now leads Crook's Andy Appleby by seven in the race for the division's top scorer award and after scoring his 15th goal in the past eight games, not many would back against him securing the prize.
Daniel Corbett, with 15 goals of his own this season, missed a gaping chance after 69 minutes when he completely missed the ball from Matt Hornsby's teasing cross while Byrne crashed a six-yard effort of the crossbar at the other end two minutes later after some sublime build-up play involving Tarling, Wood and Mellanby.
Corbett fired a late penalty wide of Pocklington's right-hand upright after Chase McMullen was adjudged to have handled Alan Herbert's cross inside the box as Brandon's day went from bad-to-worse.
And so Aycliffe, despite not at their vintage best, wracked up their 25th successive unbeaten league game and moved even closer to what they hope will be a historic promotion and second division title, and just seven more points will secure that feat for Oliver's men.
Star Man - Sean TARLING
Byrne scored two more in his pursuit of the top scorers title and worked tirlessly all afternoon while his striker partner Mellanby once more enjoyed his day's work with a hand in two goals. Close had a fine afternoon at the heart of the defence but skipper Tarling takes the plaudits on his return to the starting XI with a commanding midfield display, spoilt only by his late booking which will rule him out of a couple of games in the final month of the season.

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