Bishop Auckland gave themselves some hope of avoiding relegation from the Unibond League Premier Division when they beat Spennymoor 4-2 in the ground-sharing derby at the Brewery Field.

Former Spennymoor player Chris I'Anson put them into the lead from a Stuart Irvine cross after 17 minutes then he broke clear to put Bishops further ahead from ten yards after 53 minutes.

They went even further ahead on 56 minutes when Damon Robson crossed for Mark Sheeran to head home from a couple of yards.

Spennymoor forced a fightback when Danny Brunskill dribbled past three men and fired home but I'Anson completed his hat-trick in a goalmouth scramble.

Chris Scott pulled a late goal back for Spennymoor.

The result means that Bishops are still bottom but they are closing the gap on fifth-bottom Gateshead whose game at Blyth was postponed.

In the Albany Northern League second placed Billingham Synthonia lost their local derby against Billingham Town 3-1. Lee Ure put Town into the lead after 20 minutes then on the hour he crossed for Carl Chillingsworth to score.

Neil Radigan set up Lee Flannagan to pull one back for Synners, but Town midfielder Danny Fox curled in a free kick to make it 3-1.

The result means that defending champions Dunston now need just nine points from their last eight games to retain the title.

Guisborough look destined for relegation after they were beaten 4-3 at Thornaby.

They took the lead with a Simon Kasonali free-kick on ten minutes, but Simon Shaw equalised from the spot. Thornaby went 2-1 up with a Richie Storr header then Clarke got the third.

Guisborough rallied and Thomas Burke scored from a free-kick then John Woods levelled on 69 minutes. But Thornaby grabbed the points through Micky Arnold.