Bedlington Terriers are back in control of the league after their nearest rivals slipped up in a day of shocks.

The five times champions haven't had the best of seasons by their standards, but they are top of the table again this morning following their 2-1 win at the Archibalds Stadium, while Brandon and Billingham Synthonia both dropped points.

Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery said: "It was an excellent win and now the title race is back in our own hands."

Durham are now nine points behind Bedlington and boss Billy Cruddas said: "I don't think the league is over, but Bedlington are the favourites now."

Bedlington took the lead after seven minutes when John Milner headed home a high ball from Nicky Scaife for his 26th goal of the season, but after Micky Dunwell and Steve Halliday went close for Durham, they equalised after 70 minutes when Halliday found Lee O'Donovan racing clear and he slipped the ball past Gareth Powell.

But Bedlington, who hit the post through Anthony Chapman, scored the winner two minutes later when Roy Allen fired home from a Chapman pass.

The shock result of the day was the defeat of previous leaders Billingham Synthonia by fourth bottom Prudhoe, whose manager Steve Smith recalled himself to the side after an absence of nearly two years.

Prudhoe took the lead after 13 minutes when Rob Livermore crossed for Wayne Edgcumbe to volley home and after Prudhoe keeper Andy Clarke made two good saves, they added a crucial second when Livermore again crossed for Edgcumbe to fire powerfully home.

To make matters worse for Synners, Michael Cater was dismissed for a professional foul near the end.

Brandon, who lost at home to Dunston in midweek, finished off a poor week by drawing 1-1 with Chester-le-Street at the Welfare Ground. They weren't convincing in the first half and fell behind after 61 minutes when Martin Bowes scored with a low shot, but Brandon equalised when substitutes Dave Robson and Andy Purvis combined for Purvis to score.

Billingham Town moved above Durham City into fourth place after beating struggling Peterlee 2-1, although they played the last 20 minutes with ten men.

They took the lead when Dave Turner scored after 13 minutes with a powerful shot from the edge of the area and went further ahead when George Woodhouse set up Craig Skelton to score with a header after 35 minutes.

Skelton hit the bar in the second-half, but he was red-carded after 70 minutes for a foul and Peterlee could only pull one goal back through Nigel Swift.

Consett, also battling against relegation, pulled off a surprise when they defeated Whitley Bay 1-0 at Belle Vue.

It was all Whitley in the opening stages, and James Platten made two fine saves in the Consett goal.

But Consett stunned their visitors after 39 minutes when Colin McLeod nodded down Mark Lee's cross for Chris Hodgson to force over the line.

Consett's victory means that Peterlee and Newcastle Blue Star are almost stranded at the bottom of the table.

West Auckland won 2-1 at Dunston to maintain their impressive scoring record.

They had the better of the early play, and went close on two occasions, before they took the lead just on half time when Jonathan Milroy played a one-two with David Bainbridge and scored with a low shot.

Both sides were reduced to ten men after 53 minutes when Neil Johnson and Danny Shore were dismissed for violent conduct and Dunston equalised through Andrew Snaith.

But West grabbed the points when Milroy raced through, and even though his first effort was blocked, managed to force home the rebound.

Tow Law are seventh after they beat Guisborough 2-0 at Ironworks Road. Lawyers took the lead just after the interval when Paul Richardson fired home and Marc Eccles dribbled past two men and beat Corbett for the second.

Shildon are unbeaten in their last three away games after they won 1-0 at Jarrow Roofing.

There were few chances in the game until Shildon took the lead after 33 minutes when James Middleton scored with a low shot. Shildon missed some good chances for the second, while Paul Chow had a goal disallowed.

Washington, who were bottom of the table in November, have now won their last six matches after a 1-0 home win over Esh Winning and are now just below halfway.

The winner came after 15 minutes when Keith Hutchinson scored with a delicate chip, while Ben Chambers nearly added a second, but his header was saved.

Marske's Saturday jinx returned when they lost 4-2 at home to Morpeth, who included former Hartlepool and Spennymoor midfielder Jon Cullen.

Morpeth opened the scoring with two goals inside the first 11 minutes from Colin Lawton and Ian Johnson, but Marske pulled a goal back through Lee Alexander after 19 minutes.

Lawton restored Morpeth's two goal advantage with a powerful drive just after half time, and even though Neil Hodgson pulled a goal back for Marske, Cullen made sure of the points after 72 minutes from the edge of the area.

In the Second Division, Washington Nissan recovered from two straight defeats to beat Norton 2-0, Adam Johnston scoring twice to take his tally for the season to 29 in the league.

Easington dropped from third to fifth after they were beaten at home by second placed Ashington, who scored twice in the last 20 minutes through Marc Nash and Alan Hogg.

Thornaby are fourth after they beat Whickham 4-1 at Teasdale Park.

Horden are three points off a promotion place after they won 4-3 at Alnwick, just managing to hang on after a late revival from Alnwick. Kevin Devine scoring twice to take his tally for the season to 11.

Evenwood had a good win at Hebburn, Kurt Warburton scoring one of their goals from a free kick early in the game..

Eppleton are now out of the relegation zone after they beat Northallerton 3-1, recent signing Craig Tait scoring one of the goals.

Two of the most famous names in the league, Willington and Crook, are now in the bottom two.

Willington stayed bottom after losing 5-0 at Kennek Ryhope CA for whom Simon Andrews scored twice in the first half, while Crook slipped to second bottom after losing 3-0 at unbeaten third placed Penrith. Barry Irving scored two for the home side.