THREE goals in a scorching seven-minute spell helped Ponteland United go level on points at the top of the Northern Alliance.

While the goals came either side of the half time break, they were enough to knock the stuffing out of rivals Wallington as they inflicted a 4-2 victory on their hosts.

The three points took United level with leaders North Shields Athletic, but Newcastle University and Killingworth Town are both breathing down their neck with at least four games in hand.

Ponteland named an unchanged team from the one which beat Northbank Carlisle, whereas Wallington needed a reshuffle following their fantastic 4-3 win over North Shields.

And it was the hosts who started positively as they cranked the pressure on after just three minutes, Pont defender Steve Little forced to clear a dangerous corner.

But United weren’t able to deny Wallington taking the lead on 10 minutes, captain Josh Laverick heading home an excellently delivered free kick from dead ball specialist Josh Willis.

It took 20 minutes for United to find their stride, but they were level three minutes later when defender Paul Jones was on hand to tap home after Rob Hodgson palmed away Reece Havelock-Brown’s drilled free kick. After another well executed free kick from Willis was this time gathered by Ponteland keeper Craig Whinham, the visitors gained the upper hand for the first time from the penalty spot.

Striker Ethan Bewley was brought down in the area after spinning with the ball at his feet, and Chris Rue calmly stroked the ball home from 12 yards.

Rue got his second during the final play of the first half, running on to an exquisite chipped pass from Chris Hibbitt before lobbing the ball over the exposed Hodgson.

Ponteland were on fire and made it 4-1 just two minutes after the break, putting themselves comfortably in the driving seat. David Short’s headed clearance from defence set Zack Bewley scampering up the left wing, and he cut inside the box and lofted a ball into the top corner to open a three-goal cushion.

Wallington’s front two of Dan Thompson and Willis were asking questions of the United back line. However, the best chance fell to Thomas Truscott but he fired his volley from a Kyle Reardon corner high over the bar.

United manager Liam McIvor introduced himself to the proceedings but not before the double substitution of Shaun Johnstone and Jack L’Argent which nearly brought instant rewards. Johnstone picked out his fellow replacement with a through ball on 80 minutes, but the well struck shot bounced off the inside of the post and away to safety.

Wallington kept on plugging away and earned a consolation with time running out, man of the match Thompson finding himself unmarked in the area and cutting inside to plant the ball with his left foot into the far corner.

The 87th minute goal came too late in the day to spark any realistic hopes of a comeback for the home side, who remained ninth despite the defeat.

Ponteland are currently sitting back and watching how the title race pans out as they are not in action again until their trip to Shankhouse next Wednesday evening.

Wallington, meanwhile, will hope to bounce back from the defeat when they travel to Newbiggin at the weekend, where victory could go a long way to securing a final placing firmly in midtable.

Tyneside Amateur League title hopefuls Ponteland United Reserves scored their 100th goal of the campaign as they made it 10 wins in a row.

Sean McDonald was credited with the landmark goal as the table toppers defeated bottom club Newbiggin Hall Vettic 2-0.

Teammate Joe Billham also netted, while Joe Bell was named man of the match.

Ten wins on the bounce became 11 on Wednesday evening, United again winning 2-0 as they travelled to Newbiggin Hall. Billham was again on target, as was man of the match Simon Reay.

Ponteland have five more league games left to hold their nerve, starting with Saturday’s home game with fifth placed Morpeth Town Seniors. However, their main challengers are breathing heavily down their necks.