They took the lead when Julio Arca's cross was knocked down by Andy Bulford for Lewis Teasdale to score after 12 minutes, and they went 2-0 midway through the second half when Adam Curry set up Warren Byrne to score.

Arca scored the third in the last minute with a curler from the edge of the box, and in stoppage time Lee Paul Scroggins headed in an Arca corner.

Leaders Chester-le-Street had a good 2-0 away win at Easington. Jake Stafford gave them a first half lead, but it wasn’t until the last minute that Scott Heslop made the game safe with his 15th league goal of the season.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It wasn’t the best of games, but we came away with three points and haven’t performed to our recent high standards. So performance-wise we weren’t happy but points-wise, we’re delighted to pick up maximum points.”

Promotion contenders Team Northumbria were soundly beaten 4-1 at Tow Law, who produced their best performance of the season. Sam Reid put a backpass through his own goal to give Lawyers the lead, then Adrian Bailey and Craig Barker made it 3-0. Robert Spence pulled a goal back, but recent signing Adam Burnicle made it 4-1.

Tow Law manager Steve Murray said; “It was a superb display, victory was well deserved.”

Darlington RA also slipped up, by 4-2 at home to Brandon.

The visitors went into a 3-0 lead with goals by Dean Thexton (2) and Kieran Duffy-Weekes, but the RA hit back through Sam England and Nathan Wilson. However, James Ellis made sure for Brandon.

Ryhope CW are now third after they beat Heaton Stannington 3-1.

Ryhope led with an early volley by Damien Stevens, but Heaton levelled after 15 minutes through Adrian Watson.

Ryhope went back into the lead with a long range effort by Stevens before half time, and after 10 minutes into the second half Simon Ord got the third.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “It was a great reaction from the midweek disappointment, but I honestly didn’t expect the lads to perform as well as they did. From start to finish we dominated the game, producing some real quality and pre hard work when not. The lads have now set their own standards which we’ll expect every week.”

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “We were second best, we didn’t deserve anything. We were missing a few players, but no excuses, the better team won.”

Thornaby ran riot against second bottom Esh Winning, beating them 9-0 at Teesdale Park. Nathan Steel scored a hat trick, with Gary Mitchell (2), Curtis Edwards, David Lofts, Theo Furness and Lee Bythway getting the others.

Esh Winning manager Chris Blakelock said; “Too many injuries and people missing. Thornaby gave us a lesson.”

Crook Town won for the second time in 48 hours, beating Stokesley 3-0 at the Millfield. Josh Bynoe, Phil Caley and Callum Lough scored for Crook.

Crook manager Gary Anderson said; “After a hard game on Thursday night, we went into the game with tired legs and it showed in the end. We started brightly and should have had a bigger lead going in at half time but for two bad refereeing decisions. The second half was very scrappy, but we saw it out and took our chances to get a good result.”

Stokesley manager Craig Winter said; “It was a case of missed chances and mistakes. We dominated the game, but again we missed chances and lazy shape killed us. We had eleven players missing as well.”

Willington’s new manager, Gary Innes, tasted defeat in his first game in charge when they were beaten by a last minute goal at home by Alnwick.

They got off to a good start when Danny Lee scored from a 20th minute penalty, but James Jackson levelled for Alnwick. Will Preston put Willington back into the lead before half time, but Rob Baker equalised direct from a corner for Alnwick, and in the last minute Jackson scored the winner.

Willington manager Gary Innes said; “I’m disappointed. We had two great chances when we were 2-1 up and should have had a penalty. Even though we conceded a late winner, there are plenty of positives to work with.”

Billingham Town drew 1-1 with Hebburn at Bedford Terrace. New signing Chris Dickinson gave Town the lead, but Channon North levelled for Hebburn in the second half.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “It was a fair result. The game was too open for my liking. We need to realise that we are in a battle at the bottom, as other teams have improved.”

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “I was disappointed with the second half performance. We have to learn to punish teams when we have them on the back foot and I thought we let them off the hook in the first 25 minutes.”

Birtley won their local derby 3-2 at Whickham, thanks to a last minute penalty by Matthew Soulsby. Jak Mitchell and Damon Ellis scored Birtley’s other goals, while Chad Collins and Craig Brook replied for Whickham.

Birtley manager Tony Boakes said; “It was a great three points for us.”