Shildon dropped more points in their race for the ENL title when they were held to a 1-1 draw at derby rivals West Auckland yesterday.

There weren’t many chances in the first half, the best of them falling to Shildon defender Dominic Curl, who headed against the crossbar, until Shildon striker Billy Greulich-Smith headed home.

But two former Shildon players combined for the West equaliser on 58 minutes, when Amar Purewal broke away and set up Anthony Bell to beat Nick Liversedge in the Shildon goal.

Bishop Auckland had a dreadful second half at Penrith, and lost 6-1.

Bishops played some good football at the start of the game, but they went a goal down when keeper Ryan Graham parried a shot from Brandon Robertson, and Martyn Coleman followed up and scored.

Bishops levelled with a good shot by Shaun Ryder, but Penrith took control after half time.

Andy Murray-Jones scored from a corner when he was left unmarked, then Robertson set up Coleman to score the third from close range.

Murray-Jones then got the fourth with a powerful header, and Connor Shields pounced on a mistake to score the fifth late in the game. Coleman then rounded Graham in the last minute, and set up Shields for the sixth.

Elsewhere in the league, Newcastle Benfield lost 1-0 at home to Team Northumbria despite leading with ten minutes left, and Morpeth went 12 points clear at the top with a convincing 4-1 win at Ashington.

Stockton Town had a good 3-0 away win at bottom club Billingham Synthonia.

Stockton took a 2-0 half time lead with a pair of headers by Jamie Owens, one from a right wing cross and the other from a corner.

They wrapped up the points near the end with a header by Adam Nicholson from another setpiece.

In the second division, Tow Law missed a chance to go top of the table when they were beaten 3-0 at Willington.

Conor Winter gave Willington a half time, and after Damon Ellis made it 2-0 on 58 minutes, Winter scored his second of the game in stoppage time.

Thornaby drew 1-1 with Billingham Town. Michael James put Thornaby into the lead after 7 minutes, then their keeper Oliver Simpson saved an Ashley Lavan penalty. Stephen Oakley levelled for Billingham midway through the second half.

Easington won 1-0 at Hebburn, Jack Pounder scoring the only goal after 7 minutes.