Dunston regained their Northern League title with a 4-0 win at Ashington on Saturday - now they've got their eyes on the treble.

Dunston brushed Ashington aside with a powerful display and, with nearest challengers Billingham Synthonia unexpectedly losing to Chester-le-Street, were crowned champions.

Assistant manager Perry Briggs said: "We didn't expect to win the league yet, we thought we would have to wait for another week or two yet.

"We're now aiming to win the Northern League Cup and the Durham Challenge Cup, plus we want to go through the league season unbeaten - I don't think anybody has ever done that yet."

Dunston took the lead when Davie Southern's free-kick was headed in by Steve Pickering on 33 minutes.

Southern hit the bar, and Benn Thompson turned in the rebound for the second, and then Kane Young got the third with a looping header from a Southern corner. Thompson then dribbled through the defence and set up Graeme Armstrong for the fourth.

Synners, meanwhile, lost 3-0 at home to Chester-le-Street, for whom Jonny Wightman scored a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 18.

He got his first on 37 minutes and scored his second on 61 minutes from the penalty spot after Danny Newby had been brought down. He completed his hat trick with seven minutes left.

Third-placed Benfield Saints also lost, by 2-1 at home to Jarrow Roofing who are now out of the bottom four.

Roofing took the lead after 40 minutes when Andy Davies scored with a screamer from 35 yards, but Benfield defender Jonny Brown levelled with a header from an Anthony Errington corner.

It looked as if the match would end in a draw, until the last minute when substitute Keith Hutchinson rounded the keeper and squeezed the ball home.

Shildon recovered from their 7-0 loss at Ashington last week to win 3-0 at second bottom Tow Law.

Shildon took the lead after 31 minutes when a cross-cum-shot from Jamie Middleton beat Tow Law keeper Andrew Spence, and after Danny Richmond and Scott Emmerson went close, they went 2-0 up when Danny Key scored with a low shot from the edge of the box.

And Shildon made sure when Lee Ellison scored from the spot.

Tow Law gave a debut to former Darlington midfielder Phil Brumwell, signed from Spennymoor.

Consett were within reach of three valuable points against Horden, but were pegged back in stoppage time, and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Consett striker Wayne Edgcumbe missed a couple of good chances before Chris Hodgson scored from the edge of the area. Consett continued to waste chances, and they paid the penalty in stoppage time when James Huntley dribbled past two men and beat James Platten.

Consett are still just two points above the relegation zone, but have played four games more than Tow Law, one place below them.

West Auckland still aren't out of trouble after they were thumped 5-1 at Bedlington.

Bedlington took the lead on 18 minutes when Tony Shandran scored from a Tony Chapman through ball, then on 35 minutes Steve Preen got a second.

It was 3-0 just on half-time when Steve Preen scored from a Milner pass. West pulled a goal back when Mattie Moffat beat two men and set up Dale Jardine, but Bedlington caught West twice more in the last ten minutes, both from Shandran.

Durham City were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at home by Thornaby. Thornaby were more enterprising in the first half, and were denied by Durham keeper Kevin Wolfe, when he made a good save from Richie Storr.

However, Durham's frustration was completed when Chris Copeland's shot was parried by Adrian Swan, and Durham pair Michael Mackay and Justin Keegan got in each other's way in front of an empty net.

Morpeth drew 1-1 with Esh Winning. It looked as if Esh had won it when Phil Coxall headed home, but he then gave away a penalty for handball at the other end, and Ben Keenan scored the equaliser.

Billingham Town also drew 1-1 with Whitley Bay. Wayne Phillips put Whitley into the lead when he cut in from the left and beat Darren Collier with a low shot.

Adam Johnston then hit the post for Whitley, and Town had David Turner dismissed for dissent. But Town hit back when Lee Ure scored from ten yards.

In the Second Division, the morning's leaders Northallerton dropped into third place after they could only draw 1-1 at third bottom Hebburn. Northallerton missed a couple of chances before Simon Colligan put them into the lead, but Craig Armstrong levelled to give Hebburn a valuable point.

Nissan take over at the top after they won 1-0 at Marske United.

Glen Moan put them into the lead, then the usually reliable Gavin Cogdon missed a penalty for a second. Nissan kept hold of all three points when keeper John Caffrey saved a penalty from Marske's Shaun Howes.

West Allotment are second after they won a tricky game at Norton by 3-0. Andy Purvis, David Malone and Ian Grainger were on target.

Prudhoe are fourth after their seventh successive league win, 2-1 over second bottom Easington.

Chris McGill put Easington into the lead, but Chris Baxter and Chris Taylor responded.

Newcastle Blue Star are three points behind the others after they won 3-0 at Crook Town, where Andy Carr, Mike Fenwick and Kevin Gustard all scored.

Evenwood, with Ken Houlahan back in charge, won for the first time in eight league matches, when they beat Washington 2-1.

Stephen Houlahan and Max Ripley put them in the lead, before Craig Price pulled a goal back for Washington, who have now lost eight in a row.

North Shields did the double over Whickham, beating them 2-1. Andy Bowman and Paul Gibbs put them 2-0 up, with James Ramshaw pulling a goal back for Whickham. Willington's cause is almost lost after they lost 3-1 at Kennek Ryhope CA. Penrith won 4-0 at Seaham Red Star.