West Auckland twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw in a dramatic last ten minutes against Ashington on Saturday.

West showed their new battling qualities under the managership of Darren Williams and Steve Skinner, and they are now nine points above the relegation zone.

“That was the best we have played since we took over. The lads deserve credit, and they could have taken all three points,” said Williams.

There wasn’t much in the game, apart from a missed penalty by West’s Mark Hudson, until the game livened up on 80 minutes when Ashington sub Dan O’Reilly lobbed West keeper Danny Shaw.

Darren Richardson fired West level from the edge of the box, but Ashington went straight back in front thanks to a David Dormand header.

West kept battling away, and Adam Burnicle cracked in the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time, his 14th league goal of the season.

Ashington assistant manager Ian Skinner said; “A game which was competitive, played on a difficult pitch and lacked a bit of quality, looked destined for a 0-0 draw. However, having gone ahead twice in the last eight minutes we are disappointed not to have won the game, although a draw was probably a fair result.”

Bishop Auckland’s good form deserted them when they were beaten 4-0 at Marske United.

The home side took the lead when Aaron Butterworth had a shot blocked and Reece Kenney scored from the rebound, then Ramsbottom got the second as Bishops appealed for a foul on keeper Scott Pocklington on 34 minutes.

Ramsbottom got the third at the second attempt on 54 minutes, and then Nathan Mulligan scored the fourth from the spot.

Bishop Auckland manager Steve Riley said; “It was a very poor performance. We didn’t get started, too many people had an off day.

“I don’t like to criticise referees normally but today’s was very poor and at fault for the first two goals which took the game away from us. Firstly not awarding us a free kick when we were attacking which they broke from and scored, and the second for a blatant foul on our keeper who needed lengthy treatment.”

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “It was a great performance by the squad. We needed that win to get our confidence back up and return to winning ways. Full credit to the players.”

Washington’s new manager, Richie Latimer, won his first game in charge when they won their bottom four battle against Chester-le-Street by 2-0.

After a goalless first half Matty Waters broke away and fired Washington into the lead, then with six minutes left Gary Shaw got the second to ensure Washington of their first away league win of the season.

Washington have signed defender Micky Laws from West Auckland.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was a very poor performance but we were always in the game. Two mistakes from us, plus some poor finishing when we created some good opportunities and we were punished. Confidence is low as you would expect in our situation, but we will battle on.”

Ryhope CW continued their good form by drawing 3-3 at Jarrow Roofing and they are now up to 14th.

Shaun Vipond put Roofing into the lead from a Chris Winn cross on 2 minutes, but Kyle Davis levelled when the Roofing defence missed a long ball.

Winn put Roofing back in front from a Paul Gardiner pass, but Ryhope levelled with a James Ellis tap in.

Davis was sent off for two yellows on 75 minutes, but that didn’t stop Ellis firing Ryhope in front. But Gardiner levelled from a Dan Kirkup assist in the last minute to give Roofing a point.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “It was a good point for us as we gave three poor goals away and Ryhope were the better side when down to ten men.”

Second bottom West Allotment lost 3-1 at home to Seaham Red Star.

David Palmer put Seaham into the lead with a 25 yarder after seven minutes, then Craig Lynch made it 2-0 with a shot on the turn.

Craig Hindmarch pulled a goal back for Allotment on 70 minutes, but Lynch made sure with a shot into the top corner late in the game.

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said; “We were shocking from start to finish. The difference from the previous game was unacceptable.”

Seaham Red Star manager Chris McCabe said; “It was a much needed three points for us after a bad run of results lately. We performed really well today, some great stuff , created a lot of chances and scored three fantastic goals.”

The other first division game between Newcastle Benfield and Whitley Bay ended goalless.

Newcastle Benfield joint manager Mark Convery said; “It was a decent game and the draw was probably a fair result.”

Durham City did their second division promotion hopes the power of good by winning 1-0 at league leaders Team Northumbria to put them joint top with Team North and Stockton. Kieran Harnett scored the goal in the first half.

Durham manager Olly Hotchkiss said; “We played well, but had to battle and scrap for three points. Team North were excellent and kept the ball very well, but my players were resilient and stuck to the game plan. I can’t ask for any more from my players.”

Billingham Synthonia drop to fourth because of a 4-1 away defeat at Heaton Stannington. Synners took the lead after 16 minutes through Conor Winter but Dean Deagle levelled with a terrific shot from 30 yards on the half hour.

Dan Robinson chipped the Synners keeper to put Heaton into the lead on 55 minutes, then Dean Imray put them into the lead from a free kick, and Lee Johnson headed the fourth midway through the half.

Billingham Synthonia manager Conrad Hillerby said; “Our away form has to improve.”

Fifth placed Easington drew at home for the second time in three days when they were held to a goalless draw by Hebburn at Welfare Park.

Easington manager Paul Frame said; “We missed several key players, and it showed with a lack of quality.”

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “It was a solid performance that was needed after Wednesday’s bad defeat. Better attitudes were shown.”

Crook Town lost 2-1 at home to Northallerton, even though they took the lead when a mistake by Northallerton keeper James Briggs allowed Mark Wood to score on 18 minutes.

But Northallerton levelled when Stuart Owen scored from the spot after Danny McLachlan was brought down, then Mark Sims fired the winner in the second half to give them their fourth away win of the season.

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “It was a good feeling to get the three points. We have been playing well and not taking our chances, and coming away with a point. We created lots of chances and took two.”

Esh Winning are still bottom of the table after they lost 2-1 at home to Bedlington.

Tyler Scarth and Liam Clark scored for Bedlington in the first half, and even though Lee Best pulled one back, Esh couldn’t equalise. Bedlington’s Lee Scott missed a late penalty.

Esh Winning manager Tony Boakes said; “We gave away two poor goals. We got back into the game, but missed too many chances once again in the first half.”

Second bottom Darlington RA were beaten 5-3 at Brandon, which means that they are still without an away point in eleven away league games this season.

The RA led twice with goals by Matthew Hughes and Daniel Flounders, and then pulled back to 3-3 with a goal by Steven Telford. The pick of Brandon’s goals was a 30 yarder by Anthony Phillipson, with Niall Fingleton (2) and Dan Quine (2) getting the others.

Darlington RA manager Peter Mulcaster said; “I was disappointed with the result. Two goalkeeping errors cost us again. A draw would have been a fair result.”

In the other game, Alnwick beat Ryton 3-2.

The game between Tow Law and Thornaby was abandoned at half time because of floodlight failure, while the game between Whickham and Stockton Town was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.