West Auckland dropped points in the league for the first time this season when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Newcastle Benfield.

West Auckland took the lead after just five minutes, when Michael McKeown crossed for Ben Wood to turn and fire past the Benfield keeper, but Benfield’s veteran striker Paul Brayson levelled from a few yards out on the half hour.

However, West striker Nathan Fisher scored his seventh of the season on the hour when he turned in an assist by Wood, but again Benfield pulled level with a Brayson penalty following a foul by Tommy Marron.

Newton Aycliffe lost their unbeaten record in the first division because of a late goal by Ashley Davis at Seaham Red Star.

In the second division, Darlington RA nearly held on for a point in a goalless draw at Whickham until Kallum Broadhead scored eight minutes from the end.