Striker Nathan Fisher ran riot with five as West Auckland thumped bottom club Billingham Synthonia 6-0 on Saturday.

Fisher, who was signed in the summer from Spennymoor, has scored 39 league goals this season, and this was the sixth time this season he has scored at least a hat trick in a game. He has also scored thirteen goals in his last four matches.

West manager Gary Forrest, whose side is now in third place in the table, said; “Nathan has been superb recently, Synners just couldn’t handle him on Saturday. It was a good win for us, we’re keeping the pressure on the teams around us as we chase that second place.”

Fisher started his one-man demolition job when he scored from a Jamie Cobain pass on 20 minutes, then he ran though on the end of an Adam Mitchell pass to score the second just before half time.

He scored his third on the hour with a low shot, then got the fourth from a Marc Doninger pass, who also put him through for the fifth. Amar Purewal set up Doninger late on to complete the rout.

Shildon are still optimistic of sneaking into the promotion places after drawing with league leaders Morpeth at Dean Street.

They took the lead through Adam Gell from a Billy Greulich-Smith assist early on, and nearly got another when Jamie Harwood returned a poor clearance over the Morpeth keeper’s head and hit the post.

But Morpeth grabbed a point in the second half through a Joe Walton penalty after he was brought down.

Shildon are now fifth in the table, four points behind Consett with a game in hand.

Manager Danny Moore said; “On the balance of play I thought a draw was a fair result, but on the chances we created, I thought we should have won. Morpeth are a very good side and we restricted them to just a few chances. We’re aiming for 80 points which could be enough for promotion, which I want.”

Bishop Auckland slid down the table and are now just two points off the bottom three after losing 3-1 at second placed Consett.

They got off to a good start when Darren Richardson headed them in front, but Consett replied with an effort by Jordan Lavery from a Michael Mackay pass. Michael Sweet then put them in front from the spot after Danny Craggs was fouled, but it wasn’t until the dying minutes when Josh Gray scored that the points were safe.

To make matters worse for Bishop, three teams around them -- Jarrow Roofing, Ryhope CW and Penrith – all won.

Newton Aycliffe lost to Dunston UTS for the third time this season when they were beaten 2-1 at the UTS stadium.

Dunston were 2-0 up by half time with goals by Liam Thear and Dale Burrell, but Andrew Grant-Soulsby’s goal wasn’t enough for them.

Aycliffe manager Deano Browne said; “That was the worst we have been for a lot of months, we just couldn't get started. We huffed and puffed second half and made a bit of a game of it but were pretty poor from start to finish.”

In the second division, Northallerton striker Nicky Martin scored four as they won comfortably 5-1 at Crook.

Martin headed them in front in just the opening minute, but Daniel Johnston quickly levelled. Martin restored Northallerton’s lead from a low cross by Chris Emms, then Stephen Jackson made it 3-1 before half time.

Martin completed his hat trick from another Emms assist just after half time, and then Chris Dickinson set him up for the fifth.

Manager Darren Trotter said; “Like most teams we have not played for a month and in that situation we could have been below par but we weren't and I have to praise the attitude of the squad for maintaining the standards. We scored some cracking team goals and the quality at times on a heavy pitch was exceptional.”

Crook manager Chris Lax was less than pleased with his side and said; “Very disappointed.

We were in the game at 2-1 down then missed a golden chance to level. In the second half we went 3-1 down and our lads gave up which is not acceptable at this level.”

Northallerton are second in the table, just below leaders Blyth on goal difference.

Tow Law’s promotion hopes suffered a blow when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Thornaby to leave them seventh in the table, 15 points behind the top three. They also had Lewis Brown sent off early in the second half.

Manager Steve Murray said; “The sending off then the penalty for their second goal killed us in a game we should have had wrapped up by half time.”

Second bottom Darlington RA gained a morale-boosting point against Willington at Brinkburn Road. They took the lead through Matty Hughes on 12 minutes, but Matty Moffat levelled in the second half.

Assistant manager Mike Colman said; “It was a hard-fought game by both teams. It was a tough end-to- end game. Willington pressed more but RA controlled the opening half. Willington were the better team in the second half and a point was a fair result.”

The RA are now two points above bottom club Alnwick, who lost at Blyth AFC, and level with Brandon and Bedlington but with a worse goal difference.

Brandon scored a late equaliser for a 2-2 draw against Billingham Town to stay third bottom above the RA on goal difference.

Town were twice in the lead, but Brandon hit back through player-manager Steve Skinner and Niall Fingleton three minutes from the end.

“It was a great result,” said Skinner. “We played really well, and were very unlucky to be fair. Overall a point was fair for both teams. We just need the rub of the green as we are playing really well. Hopefully our luck will change and we can move forward.”

Durham City had a very good 5-2 home win over Jarrow. They were level 2-2 early in the second half, but Ben Joyeux and Brad Hird (2) saw them home. Callum Smith and Kieran McWaters scored for them in the first half.

Durham manager Olly Hotchkiss said; “It was an excellent result against a good side. We played some great football and scored some great goals.

“It was a very efficient performance and I'm delighted with my players. Our attacking play was fantastic and hopefully we can finish the season strong. “ Chester-le-Street won 2-0 at Easington, with goals by Aaron Reynolds and Dan Maguire, and manager Colin Wake said; “It was a very professional performance against a good footballing side. We were solid and resolute and stuck to our jobs and eventually they ran out of steam and ideas, and we could have won by more than the two. Jack Wilson made a very important save for us in the first half when we were 1-0 up that was outstanding and deserved the win.”