Tow Law manager Graeme Forster is dreading penalties after his side could only draw 2-2 at Ashington on Saturday.

Not penalties given against,but spot kicks awarded in favour of his team, as they missed their seventh successive penalty kick during the game.

"Several different players have missed from the spot in recent weeks, so Lee Innes said that if we were given one, he would take it. I told him that he could take them all the time, but I might change my mind now!

"We've had eleven penalties this season, and those that we've missed must have cost us five points, and a place at the top of the table."

Innes' penalty was saved by Ashington keeper Paul Simpson for a foul on Kraig Wilkinson, but Brian Wake then headed Tow Law in front from a corner.

He pounced on a rebound from a Steve Walker free-kick for the second after half-time, but then Tow law conceded two goals in the last twenty minutes, both to Ashington sub Tom Vickers.

In the top game of the day, Whitley Bay and Durham City drew 0-0 at Hillheads. The closest either side came to scoring was a shot by Andy Hay early in the second half which hit the Durham bar, but Durham also had some good chances.

Billingham Synthonia missed a chance to move closer to the leaders when they lost 1-0 at home to Jarrow Roofing.

The visitors scored after 25 minutes when Craig Stoker set up Steven Lish to score from 25 yards. But Synners then hit the bar through Tommy Marron and Glen Corkain.

West Auckland are now second after they beat Newcastle Blue Star 4-2.

They were cruising at one stage. Blue Star defender Andy Smith headed a Neil Johnson cross into his own net after 25 minutes, and ten minutes later, Jonathan Milroy sent Roy Allen through for the second.

Milroy scored the third just before half-time with a header from a Dale Anderson corner.

But Blue Star hit back, and David Redhead and Ross Greenhill caught West napping.

But Dale Anderson made sure from an Allen cross near the end.

Dunston bounced back from their recent disappointments with a 4-0 win at Guisborough.

They took the lead with a powerful free-kick from Nicky Scaife after 34 minutes, then Steve Mason dribbled his way through for the second on the hour.

Guisborough then had Chris Leadbitter dismissed for a foul, before Dunston got the third when Scaife lobbed the keeper. The home team's Micky Waller was dismissed for swearing before Tony Healer wrapped up the points with a fourth from close range.

Marske United's new manager, Micky Hodgson, got off to a winning start when they won 1-0 at Consett, who remain stuck in the bottom three.

Both sides missed chances before Ben Thompson scored from a Paul Hodgson cross midway through the first half.

Thornaby's new signing, Chris Reeve, scored on his debut at Washington in a 2-0 win.

He was involved in Thornaby's first goal, crossing from the right for Washington defender Jamie Curtis to head into his own goal after 62 minutes, and in the last minute he scored from an Andy Cole corner. Chester-le-Street gained revenge for last week's Vase defeat at the hands of Peterlee when they beat them 2-1.

Peterlee started well with an Anthony Jewson free-kick in the first minute, but Chester equalised when Andy Blower scored from the spot following a foul.

Chester got the winner when Gary Andison scored with a long range shot in the dying minutes.

Seaham Red Star are still bottom after they drew 1-1 with Billingham Town.

Paul Rowntree scored his 12th goal of the season from a pass by Robbie Hutchinson after 25 minutes, but Seaham levelled ten minutes later when Michael Meek picked up a poor back pass and rounded Darren Collier.

In the second division, the last 100 per cent record in the league fell at the tenth hurdle when Shildon lost 3-2 at home to Northallerton, even though they led 2-1 at one stage.

The other results went in Northallerton's favour, because leaders Penrith lost 3-2 at South Shields, after coming back from two goals down.

Easington dropped a place after they lost 5-4 in a thriller at home to Evenwood. Evenwood were 3-0 up at one stage, but Easington missed a penalty when the score was 4-4. Andy Howard scored the winner for Evenwood in the dying seconds.

Prudhoe moved up to fourth after they crushed Norton 5-0 away from home.

Willington won only their second game of the season thanks to a 4-2 derby win over Crook Town.

Esh Winning nearly let a three goal lead slip, but they held on to beat Hebburn 4-3, while Horden were 3-0 up at one stage against Whickham, before winning 3-2.

Willington have had three points restored to their total by the league.