They could only draw 2-2 at Darlington RA on Friday night, and Penrith's won 3-1 at home to Crook 24 hours later.

Those two results mean the Cumbrians need just one more victory from their three remaining games to seal the championship.

The Mariners had looked favourites to finish in top spot at one stage of the season, but are just delighted to have secured promotion back to Division One.

And they also have the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Trophy firmly in their sights.

Chairman Gary Crutwell is hoping that the club can still finish the season off with silverware, as they take on Sunderland RCA tomorrow night in the semi-final of the Trophy.

He said: "I think we had one eye on tomorrow.

"It would be the icing on the cake if the lads could get to the final and win the cup.

"It would be great to win the title, and the manager and the players, being the way they are, really wanted it.

"But as far as the committee are concerned, at the start of the season we just wanted promotion no matter how it came, whether it be on goal difference in the last game of the season."

Shields took around 75 supporters to Darlington on Friday night, as they again outnumbered the home fans.

And the Mariners took to the field with a flurry of claret and blue balloons being released as the travelling fans celebrated their promotion.

The hosts had not read the script however, as Daniel Robinson lashed in a volley from the edge of the box for the only goal of a very scrappy first half.

On 67 minutes Shields were level, when David Graham fired a trademark 25-yarder past Simon Clark in the home goal, but the Shields fans' delight lasted only seconds, as Darlington went straight down the field and Jamie Smith restored their advantage from close range.

With the game reaching the final minutes, leading goalscorer Mark Johnson calmly rounded the keeper to give the Mariners a share of the points.