United played some great football in horrible conditions, and with Stobswood slipping up, it was enough to guarantee Shields will be playing in the Northern Alliance Division One next season.

Aaron Kah set up brother Tijan on 14 minutes, who grabbed his 13th of the season when Phil Enlund played him in to double the lead.

Amble scored with 15 minutes to go to give United a scare, but youngster Iain Proud held his nerve on 88 minutes to secure the three points needed.

Manager Gareth Allen said: "We had a five-year plan – the first phase was to be a Division One team within two seasons, and we've done that.

"I'm delighted with the way the lads played. Gary Spottiswood and Mark Davies were a cut above.

"We're already planning for next year's campaign, which will be another huge test."

Shields will join HEBBURN REYROLLE in Division One, and Mark Collingwood's side put their recent poor run behind them as they beat lowly Red Row Welfare 1-0 on Saturday.

In the Wearside League, JARROW clinched a top-five finish when they hammered Willington 5-1.

Lee Buglass (2), Peter Kirkham, Andy Barclay and Craig Armstrong were on target for Dave Bell's side, who play fourth-placed Easington tonight.

Bell said: "We can still finish third, depending on results, and it gives us something to aim for.

"We've had to play a third of our league games in the last six weeks, but we've got a good squad and have used it well.

"We didn't play well in the first half against Willington, but were 1-0 up, and then the floodgates opened after the break."

Whitehill have left SIMONSIDE with it all to do in the Durham Alliance after a comprehensive 6-0 win at Brandon Utd Reserves.

The result leaves Simonside needing two wins from their final three games to win the league, starting at Shildon tonight.