Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said that his team lacked respect when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Durham City on Saturday.

The Second Division leaders had a great chance to open up some more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack following Tow Law’s slip on Friday night, but instead they fell to their second home defeat of the season.

“I’ve got emotions of anger and frustration,” said Trotter. “We haven’t respected the opposition or each other. Too many did their own thing and we got what we deserved. That’s happened on a few occasions now and the players have been warned about not respecting the opposition. I just think it’s part of the problems you face through the season. They’re not all physical challenges, this is a mental challenge that we need to overcome.

“Durham were excellent throughout and a credit to the club and the league.”

Richie Walker gave Northallerton the lead from the spot on 20 minutes after Stephen Jackson was fouled, but Durham equalised with their own penalty two minutes through Bradley Hird before half time.

City took the lead when Chris Pattison scored from a free kick on 54 minutes, then Pattison wrapped up the points when he broke away and beat Northallerton keeper Tom Dawson.

Durham have now won five away games this season, and manager Olly Hotchkiss said; “It was a great win, but an even better performance against the league leaders. We were excellent in every department and showed great character to come back from a goal down. The players showed fantastic effort and desire but ultimately demonstrated great quality in possession of the ball. I was very proud of my players and they deserve all the credit for the win.”

In the first division, Bishop Auckland had a bad day all round when they lost 2-1 at Guisborough, and with two of the teams below them, Washington and Penrith, both winning, which means they are now fifth bottom, six points above the relegation zone.

Guisborough took the lead after 6 minutes when Steve Roberts scored from a Mason McNeill through ball, and Bishops missed some good chances before Roberts scored the second from close range on 58 minutes.

Bishops got some reward near the end when Priestley Griffiths crossed for Iby Hassan to head home.

Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers said; “It just wasn’t our day. We had three cleared off the line and it was a great finish for their second.”

Shildon lost their fourth straight game in all competitions when they were beaten 3-0 at Consett and are now twelve points behind the leaders.

They got off to a bad start when defender Marc Ellison put a Dan Hawkins cross into his own net, then Adam Burnicle missed a good chance from close range at the other end.

Consett went 2-0 up when David Dowson set up Michael Sweet who fired home before half time, and the Steelmen sealed the points when Sweet pounced on the rebound after Dowson’s shot was parried by keeper Nick Liversedge.

Manager Danny Moore said; “Consett were the better team. Our lads are a bit low on confidence at the moment, so we must try and dig ourselves out it. We created enough chances, but we couldn’t take them. We’ll find out who the characters are now in the team.”

West Auckland are up to sixth following a good 1-0 home win over Jarrow Roofing.

It was only West’s second clean sheet at home in the league this season, and manager Gary Forrest said; “It’s nice to win a game 1-0 for a change.”

Nathan Fisher was the hero, scoring his 23rd league goal of the season from an acute angle on the hour.

West have signed forward Mark Doninger, who was with Forrest previously at Shildon.

Newton Aycliffe had a good 3-0 home win over Billingham Synthonia, and are now up to 16th in the table.

Aycliffe took the lead just before half time with a good effort by Glen Lane, and within a few minutes of the restart Craig Hutchinson fired the second. He got the third on the hour to make sure of the points for the home side.

Newton Aycliffe joint manager Danny Mellanby said; “They were a good three points which we desperately needed in what was a scrappy game. Unfortunately the good win was overshadowed by what looked like a serious injury to Sean Tarling.”

In the second division, Darlington RA lost 1-0 at Ryton and Crawcrook to leave them second bottom, Tyler Davis scoring the goal that mattered just on the hour “It’s very difficult for us to compete because of our financial position, we can’t attract people,” said RA manager Peter Mulcaster. “We’re grateful for the players who are turning up, but I just wish that some players would put football on a Saturday before concerts and going shopping.

“But the three people who run the club will keep on going.”

Chester-le-Street easily beat Brandon 4-1 at Chester Moor.

New signing Kevin Dixon and Dan McGuire put them 2-0 up in the first 20 minutes, but Dan Madden pulled a goal back early in the second half.

But Michael Hepplewhite made it 3-1 on 71 minutes, and Ben Thompson completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was an excellent result. We played well in the first half and deservedly went in 2-0 up. We switched off for first 20 minutes of the second half which allowed them back into the game but then ran out comfortable winners by dominating the final 25. It was a pleasing performance and another welcome three points.”

Brandon have now lost their last four matches, and remain third bottom.

Crook’s home game with West Allotment was postponed because of deep ruts on the pitch.