Whitley Bay scored twice in as many minutes to keep themselves in the title hunt with a 2-0 victory against Tow Law at Hillheads.

There were few chances in a dull first half with the best falling to Lawyers' Mattie Scott, and in the second half Lewis Harrison missed another good one for Lawyers. But Whitley took the lead when Lee Kerr drove the ball through a crowd of players from the edge of the box, and then a few minutes later he converted a penalty for the second to put Whitley into fourth place in the league. Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: "It was a poor first half, but we were much better in the second half, and Lee Kerr was fantastic, and helped well by Craig MacFarlane and Chris Fawcett."

Lawyers manager Ian Davison said: "We were top drawer in the first half, and missed two very good chances. In the second half we pinned them back, and didn't deserve to lose. We're very encouraged, because we play them again on Saturday."

Newcastle Benfield are now second behind leaders Spennymoor after beating second bottom Esh Winning 3-1. After Esh missed some good chances in the first 20 minutes, Benfield took a two goal lead through Kevin Leighton and a hotly disputed penalty by Micky Chilton. Esh pulled a goal back through Ryan Kilty, but Benfield made sure through sub Johnny Mann.

Ashington beat South Shields 2-1, Andrew Johnson scoring the winner with a free kick. Robert Briggs gave Shields the lead with a free kick, but Stephen Young equalised.

In the second division, North Shields are now six points clear in third place after they beat Thornaby 3-0. Keith Douglas gave Shields the lead with his 29th league goal of the season just before half time, and after 65 minutes James Luccock made it 2-0. Andy Hay wrapped up the points with a penalty six minutes from the end. "I thought 3-0 flattered them," said Thornaby manager Ray Morton. "We missed two good chances at 1-0."

North Shields manager Anthony Woodhouse said: "We started really well – we scored about 30 minutes into the game and looked comfortable to be honest. In the second half we had the wind, scored through James Luccock and again should have really been more around the 4/5-0 scoreline. I’d happily taken the 3-0 before the game. "The pressure is on Marske now – hwe're hoping Hebburn can do us a favour tonight!"

Crook Town won 4-1 at bottom club Morpeth, with Kevin Devine scoring a hat trick and Daniel Robinson the other. Crook manager Brian Maitland said: "It was a good win and an excellent team performance."

Tuesday STL Northern League Division One.

Ashington 2 (Young, Johnson) South Shields 1 (Briggs), Esh Winning 1 (Kilty) Newcastle Benfield 3 (Leighton, Chilton, Mann), Whitley Bay 2 (Kerr 2) Tow Law 0.

Division Two.

Gillford Park 1 (Wallace) Whitehaven 1 (Connolly), Morpeth 1 (Andrews) Crook Town 4 (Devine 3, Robinson), North Shields 3 (Douglas, Luccock, Hay) Thornaby 0.