Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery admitted that the five times champions were stunned by Billingham Town's win on Saturday.

A last minute goal by David Turner gave Town a 5-4 victory which gives them an outside chance of the title, as well as ensuring a three-way tie at the top on Saturday night between Bedlington, Billingham Synthonia and Brandon.

"Defensively, we were diabolical," said Lowery.

"Every time Billingham counter-attacked, they looked like scoring. Part of our game going forward was excellent, and we carved out plenty of chances, but you could have driven a bus through our defence.

"But the result is a shock to the system. In nine years at the club, I don't think that we have ever conceded five goals in game before. In fact, I can't even remember letting in three.

"It's made life very interesting at the top. Billingham Town aren't completely out of it and it could be any one from five.

"We need to get back to the levels we were playing at before Christmas."

Bedlington, meanwhile, are furious with a 35 day suspension handed out to midfielder Ian Bogie for swearing, and could launch an appeal.

Eppleton manager Wilf Constantine is greatly encouraged by his side's recent performances, even though they're still second from bottom.

Eppleton are still below Crook, and together with Willington are in the dreaded drop zone.

But Constantine thinks that they can escape. "I've seen plenty to encourage me in recent matches. We've played Horden, Penrith and Thornaby in recent games, and haven't done too bad at all. Horden only beat us after we were winning 2-1, and we lost just 1-0 at Thornaby.

"We need to tighten up at the back and stop giving silly goals away. Apart from that, we've done well. People keep telling me that we're not a bottom-two side, so we just have to prove that in forthcoming weeks."

Constantine gave a debut to youngster David Tait on Saturday at Horden, and he scored one goal and created another in the 3-2 defeat.

Meanwhile, striker Michael Dibie has returned to the club after a brief trial with League of Wales club Barry Town.

Dibie spent a week in South Wales, but they were unable to sign him because of the restrictions of the transfer window. Even at this level, clubs are unable to sign players from other countries.

The Durham Challenge Cup final between Billingham Synthonia and Horden could be held on Easter Monday morning, April 21, at Durham City's ground. Durham FA is close to finalising the arrangements.

Second Division club Seaham Red Star have placed youngsters Martin Mann and Andrew Morris on the transfer list at their own request.

Prudhoe have discovered the club behind the international clearance wrangle over midfielder Phil Thompson.

Prudhoe received a letter from the Scottish FA stating that they had given the player clearance to play in Scotland, but gave no indication of the club involved.

But now Prudhoe have discovered who it is. "We couldn't believe it," said Prudhoe boss Steve Smith.

"We were expecting somebody like Gretna, Queen of the South or Berwick, who all play in the Scottish League.

"Instead, it's Annan Athletic. I'd never heard of them until our secretary told me that they're in one of the leagues near the border.

"We might report them for an illegal approach, but the English FA have told us that it could take a month to sort out."

Esh Winning manager Barry Fleming is aiming for 35 points to avoid relegation.

Esh, in their first season in the top division, have had some good results this season, and they've never really been in the relegation scrap.

Fleming said: "At the start of the season, I said that 35 points would probably be just sufficient to avoid relegation, and maybe that will be the case.

"Now, I'll be happy with another ten points on the board. The lads have put that much effort into the season, that they deserve to be in mid-table, which would be great for a club our size."

Washington Nissan manager Gavin Liddle believes that Penrith will be the team to stop in the Second Division.

Penrith kept their unbeaten record when they won 2-0 at Nissan last week, to strengthen their chances of promotion.

And Liddle said: "Penrith are a really good side. Not many teams come to our place and restrict us to only three or four chances in the game.

"They're the best team we've played this season, and if we want to be promoted, then that's the standard we have to reach.

"They're big, strong and very well organised. We knew that we were beaten by a better team.

"Penrith are unbeaten in the league this season, and you can see why. They would hold their own in the First Division."

Meanwhile, Liddle was furious with his team after they lost at South Shields on Saturday.

Even though Nissan are clear at the top, all of the teams chasing them have games in hand, and there is a real possibility that Nissan could miss out.

Liddle said: "I didn't get the response I wanted from the players. They must show that they're better than fifth or sixth in the table."

Shildon have re-arranged their league cup tie with Whitley Bay for Wednesday, February 26, kick off 7.30pm. The game was abandoned last month because of floodlight failure.

West Auckland have arranged a Sportsman's Dinner on Friday, March 28 in the Manor House, West Auckland. The guest speaker is Alan Kennedy. Tickets, costing £20, are available from Stuart Alderson on 01388 834211.

Evenwood have appointed a company called Natural Partners Ltd as their commercial team.

Evenwood chairman Craig Latcham said: "The company is an extremely high quality organisation and its staff have substantial experience and success in fundraising initiatives. "The appointment is indicative of the quality management that we are now attracting to all sectors of the Club's organisation.

"At all levels we have seen increases in involvement at the Club and most pleasingly with the influx of new, enthusiastic, and highly capable volunteers from the community. This appointment is an extension of that work and of the major restructuring of the club, which was a key part of manager Ken Houlahan's strategic plan for the club, which the management committee recently adopted."

The club is also looking for backroom staff - an assistant manager, a physio and a coach. Details are available from Ken Houlahan on 07789 374576.

Ashington striker Alan Hogg has had one goal taken off his tally in the Second Division - which means his prolific scoring run has come to a premature end.

Hogg had scored in ten consecutive games until Ashington's trip to Alnwick last Tuesday, but he failed to find the net in a 5-0 win. Apparently, Alnwick were confused when the Ashington fans sang "Feed the Hogg and he will score" after an Ashington goal, and mistakenly gave the goal to Hogg when it should have been credited to Jeff Pogson.

Crook's Paul Dalton has had the two goals he scored against Willington taken off his tally, because the game must be replayed.

John Milner is now the league's leading scorer by one, after his hat-trick for Bedlington against Billingham Town last Saturday.