West Auckland striker Nathan Fisher scored his third hat trick in five games as they came from behind to win 3-1 at Stockton Town.

Fisher is already into double figures this season after also scoring against Newcastle Benfield in midweek, and manager Gary Forrest said; “It was a good win. We struggled to adapt to the pitch in the first half and played too deep. We changed things around at half time and the lads reacted well. Nathan has got plenty of confidence at the moment, and that makes a big difference.”

Stockton, who are without a point this season, took the lead through Jamie Owens from a free kick, but West recovered in the second half. Fisher, signed in the summer from Spennymoor, beat two men and fired the equaliser on the hour, then three minutes later he put his side into the lead with a shot on the turn.

And he completed a seven minute hat trick when Arran Wearmouth set him up to tuck the ball away and put West top of the table.

Bishop Auckland had a bad day, beaten 5-0 at North Shields, which means that they have conceded thirteen goals in three league games, the second worst record in the league behind Guisborough, and they are now bottom of the table.

Two defensive mistakes allowed Shields to score twice in the first 25 minutes through Lee Mason and Craig MacFarlane, but after a promising spell in which they went close a couple of times, another mistake in the Bishops defence gifted Shields the third, scored by Mason again.

Shields added further goals through Joe Kerridge and Jordan Summerly to complete the scoring.

Tow Law picked up a point at Alnwick to put them joint top of the second division with Northallerton.

Lewis Harrison put them in front with his third goal of the season, but Lewis Coyle levelled from long distance, but nevertheless Tow Law are unbeaten in five league games.

Durham City, playing their second game inside 48 hours, lost 3-1 away to Billingham Town, and in the process also lost their unbeaten record. Liam Travers put Billingham ahead on 41 minutes, but Dan Madden, who has returned to the club from Bishop Auckland, equalised just on half time.

Billingham moved up a gear in the second half, and took the points with goals by Connor Dunleavy on 53 minutes and Liam Travers on 84.

Durham manager Olly Hotchkiss said; “I was pleased with the players’ efforts against a strong Billingham Town side. Maybe 3-1 was a little harsh as there wasn’t much between the two sides.”

Crook Town won for the first time since the opening day of the season, by 2-0 at Chester-le-Street.

The game turned on the dismissal of Chester midfielder Craig Marron midway through the second half, as Crook scored afterwards through Kyle Morris and Dan Smith.

Crook manager Wilf Constantine said; “We played very well and deserved our win. It was a very good team performance against a decent Chester side. We always looked the more likely to score, and finished the game stronger.”

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “We were poor from start to finish with a total lack of quality and composure on the ball. The game changed when the referee sent a player off for no reason which gave Crook the upper hand.”

Remarkably, the division is that tight at the moment that only three points cover the top fifteen clubs.

Darlington RA are still bottom of the table after they lost 4-2 at home to league newcomers Jarrow.

Darlington RA manager Peter Mulcaster said; “We played well enough, but they capitalised on four defensive mistakes. We have to cut them out.”

Jarrow went three goals up in the first half hour through Jonathan Hirst, Josh Allen and Jordan Mellish, and after Dominic Joynes pulled a goal back, Max Kirkham made it 4-1. Mark Sims scored again for the RA, but the game was lost by then.

Esh Winning manager Tony Boakes blasted his players after they lost 6-2 at Easington. They never recovered from going two goals down in the first 13 minutes, and the home side’s Jack Pounder went on to help himself to a hat trick.

Dan Kent and Max Stoker scored for Esh, and Boakes fumed: “We were very poor from start to finish. The players let myself and the whole club down with a substandard performance and they must bounce back with 100 per cent effort in the next game.”

Brandon were beaten 1-0 at home to Thornaby, for whom Jack Bailey scored in the last minute.

Willington suffered a disappointing home defeat to Whickham by 2-0 for whom Kyle Wharton and Joe Mole scored in the space of four minutes in the second half.