Norton manager Deano Browne says that his young team will keep working hard to avoid relegation after they were beaten 2-1 in their bottom three clash against West Auckland on Saturday.

Norton have now dropped to second bottom because West leapfrogged over them with this victory, and they’re four points away from safety.

“The season isn’t over by any means,” said Browne. “I’m confident that we’ll stay up, but I know that it’s going to be hard. Other teams around us are spending money and bringing players in, but our players have got the ability to get out of trouble.

“Technically, we have some very good young players, but sometimes they come up against opposing players who are stronger or have more nous. They’re learning all the time, and getting better.”

West took the lead on 15 minutes, when West keeper David Knight cleared a backpass downfield, and the ball sailed over a static Norton defence for Chris Emms to latch on to, sidestep keeper Michael Thackeray and roll the ball home.

His second was excellent, a right footed free kick from 25 yards that he struck over the defensive wall and into the top corner of the net.

Norton pulled a goal back when Ryu Williamson blasted in from 20 yards, and then Nicky Martin was denied at point blank range by Knight.

However, West should have made the game safe, with Mark Hudson pulling a shot wide, and then Emms was denied his hat trick on two occasions by a last ditch tackle and then a Thackeray save.

West Auckland manager Andy Campbell said on his return to the club that he helped to promotion last season; “I thought our players worked hard in difficult conditions, and in the first half we maybe should have been out of sight with the chances we had. I thought the free kick by Chris Emms was out of this world, and would have been a good one on Match of the Day.

“It’s a big boost to be off the bottom of the table, but it’s all about consistency. If we continue playing like that, then we’ve got a chance of getting out of trouble. The new players that we have brought in have raised the ability of the others in the team.”

Bedlington are now bottom of the first division following their 2-0 home defeat by Washington.

The visitors took the lead after 15 minutes when Jonny Butler scored from a Chris Winn free kick, and after Bedlington had some good pressure, Washington got the second when Winn ran through and slotted the ball past the keeper.

Washington’s victory was their first in six league matches.

Washington manager Steve Hutchinson said; “It was a great result on a really heavy pitch. Happy with a clean sheet as well. We played some good football, so we’re hoping that it’s the start of a winning run.”

Newcastle Benfield and Durham City drew 0-0 in the other game.

Benfield have announced that senior players Mark Convery and Paul Brayson have been appointed joint managers following the departure of Steve Bowey last month.

Chester-le-Street ran riot in the second division by 8-0 against Alnwick, of whom Adam Laidlaw was in charge as manager for the first time.

Ben Johnson started the rout after just ten minutes, with Scott Heslop going on to help himself to a hat trick, and give him 21 league goals for the season. Lee Mole (2), Andrew Grant-Soulsby and Joe Hamblin got the others.

Chester are now five points behind leaders South Shields, but have played a game more.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was a really good win. We didn’t start too well but once we got our noses in front there was only going to be one winner. There were some good team goals, and another good team performance.”

Ryhope CW just got the better of Birtley by 3-2 to go third in the table.

Birtley stunned Ryhope by taking the lead after 2 minutes through Kieran Day, but Richie Hodgson hit back with two goals in five minutes for Ryhope, one of them a penalty. Damien Stevens made it 3-1 before half time, while Andrew Townend pulled a goal back for Birtley with two minutes remaining.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “The result looks as though it may have been a close game but from our point of view it was very controlled in terms of possession and had we finished better could have ended quite a high scoring game.”

All of the other games in the league were postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

Hebburn beat Willington 2-0, with goals by Callum Smith on 73 minutes and Chris Smith on 87 minutes. Willington remain third off bottom, and have picked up only one point in eleven away matches this season.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “I’m pleased with the performance. It was starting to get frustrating when we scored, but it at least it’s another clean sheet at home.”

Willington manager Gary Innes said; “I’m disappointed.”

Second bottom Esh Winning edged closer to Willington by picking up a point at Billingham Town in a 1-1 draw. Liam Clark gave Esh the lead, but Liam Murphy equalised for Town.

Esh Winning manager Keith Brown said; “I’m pleased with a point against a good team. We rode our luck at times during the game but our effort was great across the board.”

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “It was a game of two halves. I thought we should have made it an easy second half but we didn’t take our chances and kill Esh off.”

Brandon drew 0-0 with Whickham at the Welfare Ground, but the point was enough to put Brandon into the top half of the table.