Chester-le-Street damaged second in the table Hebburn’s promotion hopes with a shock 4-1 win.

Chester took the lead after 22 minutes when Luke Wilson pounced on a rebound, and he was in the same place when the ball hit the post and he scored from the rebound.

Kevin Huntrod added a third when he prodded the ball in, and even though John Toomey pulled a goal back for Hebburn, Luke Proctor curled in the fourth.

Chester-le-Street manager Anth Smith said: “What a fantastic performance. Hebburn had a couple of early chances and credit to our keeper for two great saves. From then onwards we dominated the game and moved the ball really well and looked very dangerous on the counter attack, creating many chances.”

Northallerton showed their character by winning 1-0 at third placed Morpeth, with an outfield player, Grant Hickman, in goal, as first choice Steve Craggs was injured, and second choice Alex Kell was unavailable.

James Bowman headed the winner for Northallerton, who also missed a penalty by Peter Bulmer.

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “Another hard fought three points against a promotion chasing side that had lost only one home league game all season. We also had a full back playing in goal, and a game less than 48 hours previous.”

Gillford Park took advantage of the slips by Hebburn and Morpeth to revive their promotion hopes with a 3-1 away win at Alnwick.

At the bottom, Easington failed to close the gap on second bottom Horden after losing 5-3 at home to Thornaby, who are safe from relegation. Gary Mitchell (2), Mark Lilley, Stephen Hodgson and Paul Thorns scored for Thornaby, with Haydon Pace (2) and Daniel Robinson replying for Easington. Easington manager Paul Adamson said: "This was a game we really needed to get something from, but again we gave away some poor goals, and some bizarre decisions cost us. We have four games left now, we just have to relax and give it a real go."

Horden got off to a good start at Brandon, but lost 4-1. Darryl Evans put Brandon into the lead after just 5 minutes, but Marc Costello levelled wit ha penalty on 37 minutes. Michael Nichol, Ryan Readman and Lee Tinkler scored for Brandon in the second half.

Horden manager Peter Mulcaster said: “We were woeful for the third game on the trot, and we’ve got no complaints about the result.”

Third bottom Seaham lost 3-1 at home to Esh Winning, but they’re just about safe.

Esh took the lead through Dan Mitton from a corner, but Seaham equalised when Dave Gordon drove the ball home through a crowd of players. However, Craig Mickle rounded the keeper to put Esh back into the lead, and in stoppage time, when Seaham pushed everyone up for a free kick, Esh broke away and Craig Coates scored the third.

Esh have appointed former Seaham manager Steve Cook as their coach.

Esh Winning manager Andrew Soppitt said: “We’re doing our best to finish the season on a high, and start building for next season.”

Crook Town also had to put an outfield player in goal, Bradley Woods, in their 6-1 away win at Ryton.

The goal he conceded was a twice taken penalty by Mark Eccles, only after the officials ruled that he had moved illegally before the kick was taken.

That came when Crook led 4-0, with goals by Alex Marshall (2), Richard Hodgson and Kyle Davis, and after Ryton’s reply, Chris Wallace and Craig Hughes scored.

Crook manager Gary Pearson said: “It was an outstanding performance throughout. Big thank you as well to full back Bradley Woods who went in goal and was robbed of a penalty save because the assistant said he moved slightly forward. It’s really hard to single anyone out at all because we were excellent.”

Washington scored three times in the last 15 minutes to come from behind and win at Whitehaven. Stuart Shaw and Greg Quayle put Whitehaven 2-0 up by the 55th minute, but Lee Hamilton and Michael Rush equalised, and in stoppage time Hamilton got the winner.