West Auckland went top of the EBAC Northern League by a point when they beat Consett 2-0 at Darlington Road last night.
West found it difficult to break down the Consett defence, although Chris Carr hit the bar and John Campbell hit the post, before West took the lead when Carr headed a right wing corner into the net just under the bar. It was 2-0 after 68 minutes when Campbell made a good run down the right and pulled the ball back for Elliott Gardner to stroke into the bottom corner.
West Auckland manager Peter Dixon said: "I thought we were lethargic tonight, but at least we kept a clean sheet. It wasn't much of a spectacle."
Durham City had a good 5-2 home win over bottom club Newton Aycliffe at New Ferens Park.
Steve Thompson fired City into the lead and then had a penalty saved by Aycliffe keeper Scott Pocklington before Max Stoker scored from a Thompson cross. Josh Home-Jackson added another just before the break, but early in the second half new signing Danny Earl scored twice to give Aycliffe some hope.
However, Elliott Cutts put City 4-2 up, then Thompson successfully converted another spot kick for a foul by Tom Hinchley.
Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver said: "We conceded some daft goals, and that's one thing you can't do in this league."
Durham manager Dickie Ord said: "It was an outstanding performance tonight, it should have been double figures."
Whitley Bay and Sunderland RCA drew 1-1. The RCA took the lead when Whitley defender Craig MacFarlane put the ball into his own net, but Whitley levelled when Chris Fawcett scored with a diagonal shot. Whitley manager Ian Chandler said: "It was a very poor first 45 minutes, but we weren't really troubled by RCA, we were troubledby ourselves, The second half was much imporved, it seemed like we could have played all night and not scored. two points dropped."
Hebburn drew 1-1 with Newcastle Benfield. Hebburn took the lead after 61 minutes through Paul Gardiner from a Jonny Davis free kick, but Benfield levelled deep into stoppage time through Stephen Young from a long ball. Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: "A fantastic team performance and unlucky not to pick up all three points. We were under no pressure and gave no chances away until the last ten minutes when Benfield pushed five up top, and then it was a ricochet which gave them a chance to equalise which they took. Very proud of the lads and if we play like that week in and week out, then we'll be ok."
Newcastle Benfield Perry Briggs said: "We dominated the game for all but ten minutes. We rightly got a point right at the death. Last year we'd have lost that game, but the players kept going right to the end."
In the second division, Chester-le-Street went second when they won 3-0 at Seaham Red Star, Lewis Lynch (2) and Rhys Weir scoring their goals. Chester manager Colin Wake said: "I got just the reaction I was looking for after Saturday's poor display. I played a patched up side as both central defenders were missing, but Mark Gaffney was outstanding. The game was very even, but we took our chances to win comfortably in the end."
Whickham just got the better of Birtley in their local derby by 3-2, although Craig Marron missed a penalty for the visitors. Andrew Snaith (2) and Tony thirkell scored for Whickham, with Craig Marron and Dan Smith replying. Whickham are now fifth. Whickham manager Robin Falcus said: "WE battled well in what was a tough game. There wasn't a lot of good football played, but the three points are all that matters. After a tough summer, we are slowly building a solid side."
Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: "Either team could have won. Both teams were evenly matched, but we're not getting any luck at the moment."
Alnwick finally scored their first league goals of the season in a 4-1 home win over Thornaby , whose assistant manager Ray Morton said: "We're devastated, because we played them off the park. At the end of the first half we should have been 3-1 up. They had three shots and scored three."
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