Spennymoor director of football Ken Houlahan has admitted their promotion hopes are all but over after they were thumped 6-2 at home by Penrith on Saturday.

The new Moors collapsed in the second half, conceding four goals, leaving them in ninth place, having played more games than most of the teams above them in the second division promotion race.

"Our promotion chances are diminishing," he said. "Our defence fell apart on Saturday - I can't understand how we can be absolutely outstanding at Seaham on Thursday night, and then be absolutely rubbish two days later."

Moors, who haven't won any of their last ten league games, scored after just 13 seconds through Wayne Edgcumbe, but Dan Broadley levelled on eight minutes. Anthony Wright made it 2-1 from a right wing cross before half time, but then Moors fell apart, with Andy Douglas, Ryan Errington (2) and Broadley getting his second. Warren Byrne scored for Moors late on.

Seaham Red Star are looking for a new manager after Peter Mulcaster quit following their 3-0 home defeat by lowly Alnwick.

Mulcaster, who was appointed three years ago, said: "In football, you do what's right for yourself - and on Saturday, I thought it was right for me to resign."

In the first division, Ashington, who sacked manager Ray Gowan on Friday, responded by winning 3-0 at Tow Law.

West Auckland are up to fifth after they beat Jarrow Roofing 4-0 at Darlington Road. Mattie Moffat is now the joint leading scorer in the league after scoring twice, with Lee Ellison getting the other two.

Leaders Newcastle Blue Star were given a sharp reminder that the title isn't theirs just yet when they were beaten 1-0 at home by West Allotment, Mark Rasmussen got the winner.

Star are still eight points clear of Billingham Synthonia, who had an easy 4-0 home win over bottom club Esh Winning at Central Avenue.

Tony Wood gave Synners an early lead when he raced through and beat Esh keeper Andrew Spence, and they moved up a gear in the second half.

Craig Lake got the second, David Wells lobbed Spence from the edge of the area for the third, before Colin Iley completed the scoring in the closing minutes.

Billingham Town beat Horden 4-1 at Bedford Terrace, with all the goals coming in the second half. Horden played most of the game without midfielder Stephen Bell, who was sent off for swearing after 20 minutes.

Jamie Clarke put Town into the lead after 50 minutes, then John McKie got the second, Clarke scored the third, and late in the game Chris Emms added a fourth. Anthony Dobell scored a late consolation for Horden.

Durham City were held to a goalless draw at Morpeth, whilst fourth-bottom Shildon picked up a point at Sunderland Nissan in another 0-0 score.

Chester-le-Street moved up four places after a 3-1 home win over Brandon. Chester took the lead in the 52nd minute with a shot on the turn by Andy Cuthbertson, and they went further ahead with a Jonny Wightman penalty for a foul on John Ewart.

Lee Coldridge pulled one back for Brandon, but Robbie Draper scored a third for Chester after Wightman's shot was parried.

Thornaby had four keepers unavailable, so assistant manager Barney Malone went in goal, but they went down 2-0 at home to Dunston. Graeme Armstrong converted a penalty and sub Alex Benjamin added a second for Dunston who had striker Chris I'Anson sent-off.

In the other second division matches Darlington RA are third after they beat Peterlee 5-2 at Brinkburn Road.

They were 3-0 up after half an hour with goals from Michael Carter, Steve Johnson and Paul Freary, but had a scare when Peterlee replied with goals by Anthony Green and Craig Adair. However, Johnson scored twice more in the second half to complete his hat-trick.

Leaders Consett returned to winning ways and stretched their unbeaten run to 21 matches with a 2-1 win at Whickham. Michael Mackay and Colin McKenzie scored for Consett.

Northallerton are second after a 2-0 home win over Hebburn through goals from Simon Kasonali and David Goodchild, and Guisborough are off the bottom after beating Prudhoe 1-0, thanks to a lob by Michael McGowan.

Norton beat Marske for the second time in three days thanks to a last minute goal. They took the lead with a 25 yarder by Tyson Masters, but Marske levelled with a goal by Danny Metcalfe from a corner. Veteran John Outhwaite hit the winner from a Marcus Laing corner with the last touch of the game.

Washington are up to fifth with a 1-0 home win over North Shields, Craig Marron scoring.