Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe admitted that his side were "rubbish" as they resurrected their title hopes with a 1-0 home win over Guisborough.

While leaders Bedlington slipped up, Brandon joined them at the top, but Lindoe admitted that his side was far from their best.

"Guisborough should have been out of sight," said Lindoe. "We just couldn't get going, and they were by far the better team. We seem to have a phobia about playing in the first half.

"We got lucky for the first time this season.

"The best team lost. But at least we're still in the title race with a shout."

Guisborough hit the bar three times in the game, while Ben Cole pulled off several good saves in the Brandon goal.

The decider came after 66 minutes when Chris Neil flicked on an Anth McStea corner, and Richie Pitt forced the ball home.

West Auckland's new keeper, Adrian Swan, saved a penalty as his team came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Bedlington.

Bedlington seemed to be on their way to three points thanks to two goals from West old boy Roy Allen.

He scored his first after 53 minutes when he turned on the edge of the area and fired home, then he got his second from the spot after he was fouled by Swan.

But then the game was turned by West sub Andy Turner. He broke away to pull one back, and after Swan saved a second penalty from Andy Fletcher at the other end, Turner shot against the bar and Jonathan Milroy headed in the rebound.

Billingham Synthonia, in third, could only draw 2-2 at Dunston, thanks to a late goal from former Torquay and Darlington player Brian Healy, who was transferred from previous club Shildon on the morning of the game.

Paul Hogg scored for Dunston from a pass by new signing Kraig Wilkinson on the half hour, and they held on until the 84th minute when Dean McGee scored from a free kick.

Micky Farrey thought he'd scored the winner from the spot after Neil Radigan was red-carded, but Healy headed home deep into stoppage time.

Billingham Town's challenge faltered after they lost 2-1 at home to Washington, who have lost just once in their last nine matches.

Town took an early lead with a header by David Gallagher from a Craig Skelton cross, and then missed several chances to increase their lead.

Washington equalised on 30 minutes with a shot by Stuart Dixon, and even though they had defender John Robinson sent off for his second yellow, Ben Chambers grabbed the winner after 75 minutes from close range.

Durham City's chances also seem to have disappeared after poor defending saw them lose 3-1 at Morpeth.

The home side took the lead after just three minutes through former Hartlepool and Darlington striker Paul Beavers from an Ian Johnson cross, and after Jon Cullen hit the post, Durham levelled when Paul Rowntree scored from a Micky Dunwell pass.

Beavers restored Morpeth's lead from a corner, and he completed his hat-trick when he was left unmarked to score from a Walker pass.

Chester-le-Street are well away from danger after they won 2-1 at Jarrow Roofing, their sixth win in the last seven games.

John Heggarty scored for the second successive game from a Gary Shields pass after 26 minutes, then Lee Adamson raced through for the second after 76 minutes.

Paul Chow scored Roofing's goal from the spot late in the game, his 27th league goal of the season.

At the bottom, Prudhoe edged closer to safety after they picked up a point against Tow Law, who scored with just minutes remaining.

Prudhoe took the lead after two minutes through Gary McDonald from a corner, but Tow Law equalised when Andy Allen who picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and fired home.

Prudhoe regained the lead just on half time through McDonald from a left wing cross, but Lawyers equalised with a few minutes left when Allen burst through and beat Prudhoe keeper Ian Clark.

Third bottom Consett failed to take advantage of Prudhoe's slip when they lost 1-0 at Esh Winning, who are now well clear of safety.

Esh striker Steve Burns scored the only goal of the game after 53 minutes, when he scored from a pass by Gary Messer.

Consett's defeat means that they are now seven points behind fourth bottom Prudhoe.

Peterlee are looking doomed after they lost 2-0 at home to Shildon, who scored twice in the last ten minutes.

Both sides missed chances before Keith Emmerson put Shildon into the lead after 80 minutes after he cut in from the left and beat Peterlee keeper Tony Attwood, then in the last minute former Darlington striker Lee Ellison broke clear to score his 17th league goal of the season.

Marske United defender Michael Kinnair made his 500th appearance for the club as they beat Newcastle Blue Star 3-1 at Mount Pleasant.

They had three goals disallowed before they finally broke through after 28 minutes with a Sean Howes penalty, then Stephen Murphy got the second after John Woods hit the bar.

Craig Nesbitt pulled a goal back from 25 yards for Star, but Woods got the third with a volley from the edge of the area.

In the second division, leaders Washington Nissan recovered from some recent poor results with a 3-0 away win at Whickham, the division's leading scorer Adam Johnston scoring twice to take his league tally for the season to 32.

Second in the table Thornaby slipped up a in a 1-1 draw at Kennek Ryhope CA, Jamie Clarke scoring his 21st league goal of the season with a penalty.

Horden are now fourth after their second away win in a week against promotion rivals, this time by 3-1 at Easington. Former Easington player Lee Dixon, as well as recent signing John Outhwaite, scored.

Seaham's progress up the table continued when they won 6-2 at bottom club Willington, after going 4-0 up inside the first twenty minutes.

John Harrison scored two of their goals.

The other clubs at the bottom all picked up points.

Crook and Eppleton drew 0-0 in their game at the Millfield, while Norton came from behind to draw 2-2 at Evenwood. Alnwick also hit back to draw 1-1 with Shotton.

Northallerton beat Murton 1-0 thanks to a first half goal by David Onions, his 14th of the season.