In the second division, a big crowd of 1,412 saw South Shields thrash Tow Law 9-1 for their 17th successive win in league and cup to keep them eight points clear.

They had an early shock when the visitors took a second minute lead through Adam Burnicle, but David Foley equalised with a good solo goal. Foley made it 2-1 from a Robbie Briggs pass, then Warren Byrne headed the third. Foley scored the fourth within seconds of the restart , and Lee Paul Scroggins cracked the fifth from 25 yards. Darryl Hall headed another, Adam Sakr scored from a rebound, Julio Arca scored from the edge of the box and Scroggins headed the ninth.

Tow Law manager Steve Murray said; “We were hammered by a good side, but not too gutted about our performance, they were just better.”

Second placed Chester-le-Street had a good 4-0 away win at Heaton Stannington. Scott Heslop, the division’s leading scorer, scored twice in the first 31 minutes to give Chester a 2-0 lead and a personal 18 league goals for the season. Dan Hepplewhite made it 3-0 on the hour, and Ben Johnson scored the fourth late in the game.

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “We started poorly and it didn’t get any better. We were outbattled which is the most disappointing thing as we know how Chester play. They have their system and they play it well. Very direct with two quick hard working forwards.”

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “A totally professional performance from start to finish. We started brightly and maintained the dominance throughout the 90 minutes. It was a comfortable win in the end in a game that should have been harder as they always give us a tough game.”

Darlington RA’s terrific season continued as they picked up a good three points away from home by beating Thornaby 4-3 and are now third.

Jim Wilson rounded the keeper to put the RA in front, but Thornaby hit back to take the lead through Theo Furness and Curtis Edwards.

Sam England levelled for the RA from the edge of the box, then Ash Laven hit a terrific volley from 40 yards out into the top corner. Jim Wilson made it 4-2 when he beat a defender and fired home. Thornaby scored a stoppage time third through Richie Walker. The RA are now up to third.

Darlington RA manager Warren Moncur said; “It was a real end to end game from start to finish.

Thornaby manager Paul Edwards said; “I can’t believe that we lost. We had enough chances to win three games.”

Ryhope CW won 3-2 at Willington to go fourth . Damien Stevens put them into the lead early in the game, but Willington equalised through Anthony Lee.

Ryhope regained the lead when Nathan O’Neill set up Josh Home-Jackson to head his eighth goal in eight games. Home-Jackson was then dismissed for two yellows – the second of which was hotly-contested – and Willington levelled again through Lee.

But Ryhope recovered and Kyle Davis set up Chris Trewick to slide the ball home. Home-Jackson was also dismissed late in the game.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “It was a well deserved win especially after going down to ten men through a ridiculous refereeing decision which saw Josh Home-Jackson sent off. We could and maybe should have capitalised on at least two other chances at 1-1 but they were squandered.”

Willington manager Gary Innes said; “I’m disappointed as we played well and didn’t take our chances.”

Billingham Synthonia dropped from third to fifth after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Brandon.

Sonny Andrews put Synners into the lead with his fifth goal in two games, but James Ellis equalised for Brandon from the spot after a Matthew Dixon foul. Brandon got the winner right at the end with another Ellis penalty following a foul by Josh Rowbotham.

Brandon manager Lee Jewitt said; “Another good result for us against a good side. We had to dig deep, and show big hearts. In the end, we wanted it more.”

Sixth placed Easington dropped points in a 2-2 draw at Birtley, who started well with two goals by Mark Bailes in the first ten minutes.

But Willie Paul pulled a goal back for Easington before half time, and Brian Norton scored late in the game.

Crook Town, under new manager Tony Boakes, are being sucked into the relegation battle after they lost 3-2 at home to Esh Winning, who scored a late winner.

Phil Caley and Damon Ellis scored for Crook, while Nathan Graham, Andrew Hall and Liam Clark were on target for Esh, who collected only their third win of the season.

Esh Winning manager Keith Brown said; “It’s fantastic to see such character instilled within the players that we have brought in.”

Billingham Town won 3-0 at Ryton and Crawcrook, Lewis Murphy scoring all three goals.

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “It was a very complete performance, more pleasing was keeping a clean sheet and I’m pleased for the players as they came in for some stick after the cup defeat last week. They bounced back with the right attitude.”

Northallerton beat Hebburn 1-0, Damon Reaks scoring the goal in the first half.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “We missed a glorious chance at 0-0, but we created very little. Our keeper made some good saves. We looked leggy, we have no complaints.”

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “It was a great result. I thought we dictated the first half. Hebburn had the majority of the second half but the lads showed a resolution that wanted to keep a clean sheet, even though we had two good chances to put the game to bed.”

Stokesley are still with just a single point after they were beaten 3-2 at Whickham. Elliott McGlade put Stokesley into the lead, but mark Fitzpatrick (2) and Callum Broadhead replied for Whickham. Connor Campbell scored a late goal for Stokesley.

Stokesley manager Craig Winter said; “Two very bad teams, Whickham players stuck to their game plan, my lads decided to do what they wanted again.”

Team Northumbria won 4-2 at Alnwick in the other game.