Brandon returned to the top of the First Division with a 3-2 win at Prudhoe - but their delight was tempered by injury.

While Brandon held on for victory, previous leaders Bedlington dropped points at home to Consett. But Kenny Lindoe's side look as if they will be without midfielder Steve Huggins for the rest of the season because of a broken leg.

Lindoe said: "If he is missing for the rest of the season, then it will be a massive blow because he is one of our key players.

"After his injury, we didn't have the heart for the game, but collectively we'll have to bridge the gap."

Huggins created the first two goals for Brandon, crossing for John Ewart to score with a diving header after 11 minutes, then after Richie Pitt's shot from his pass was blocked, Andy Cuthbertson scored from the rebound.

Huggins was stretchered off on 70 minutes after he fell awkwardly, and Prudhoe replied with a header by Wayne Edgcumbe. Dave Robson calmed their nerves with a header from Mark Patterson's cross, with Prudhoe's Tony Lowther pulling another back.

Consett's recent good record against Bedlington continued when they drew 1-1 at Welfare Park - and they played the last half hour with ten men.

After keeper James Platten pulled off a good save from John Milner early on, Bedlington took the lead after 14 minutes when Milner headed in from a cross by Alex Lawson.

Consett's Chris Hodgson hit the post at the start of the second half, then Platten pulled off another good save. But they equalised after 65 minutes when Mark Lee scored direct from a free kick. Centre half Johnny Brown was dismissed for two bookable offences, but Consett held on for a precious point in their relegation battle.

Second division Willington, one of the league's most famous clubs, are now rock bottom and facing relegation after they were thrashed 9-1 at home by Ashington. Willington manager Alan Shoulder included himself in the team, and they were behind only 2-1 at one stage when Carl Luke was red-carded for a foul.

Ashington striker Alan Hogg scored twice in the game to take his tally to 14 goals in the last eight matches

They are now three points adrift because of Eppleton's win at Hebburn.

Billingham Synthonia are just a point behind Bedlington after they won a thriller by 3-2 at West Auckland after they led 3-0 at one stage.

Striker Lee Flanagan put Synners into the lead from a David Wells pass, then Neil Radigan set up Wells to fire the second just before half time. And when Flanagan raced clear for the third just after half time, it looked all over for West.

But James Lang pulled a goal back on the hour, and then Michael Carter scored another with a first time shot from 25 yards. West had a penalty appeal turned down late in the game.

Peterlee collected three valuable points in their relegation battle with a 3-1 home win over bottom club Newcastle Blue Star.

David Yale pounced on a mistake to put his side into the lead after 15 minutes, and after some strong pressure went further ahead just on half time when Steve Pitman scored from a pass by Paul Hinton.

Andy Hill made it three with a header with five minutes left, before sub Gary Scaithe pulled a goal back near the end.

Washington have now won four of their last five league games after a Ben Chambers hat-trick helped them to a 5-0 home win over Marske United, who had two men sent off.

Marske started badly, and had striker Lee Alexander dismissed for swearing after 20 minutes.

James Curtis headed Washington into the lead from a Stuart Dixon corner, then Ben Chambers headed another from a Chris Feasey cross.

After Marske's Andrew Brown went for a foul, Washington went three up when Feasey scored with another header. Chambers then completed his second hat-trick of the season, to take his tally in the league this season to 13, with two strikes in the last ten minutes.

Shildon have now lost four on the trot after they were beaten 2-0 at home by Guisborough.

Jonathan Scott put Guisborough into the lead with a cool finish after 15 minutes, then Ben Walker broke clear for the second midway through the second half to make sure of the points for Guisborough.

Tow Law bounced back after last week's defeat at Billingham Town when they beat Jarrow Roofing at the Ironworks Road.

Midfielder Scott Nicholson scored the only goal of the game after 16 minutes, with a 30 yard volley which went in off the underside of the bar. Lawyers missed several chances to increase their lead, and nearly paid the penalty when Craig Nelson hit the bar in the last minute.

Esh Winning and Dunston drew at Waterhouses.

Sixteen-year-old keeper Lee Robinson made his debut and pulled off a great save early in the game from Ben Thompson, but he had no chance after 27 minutes when Steve Pickering scored in a scramble.

Esh hit back in the second half, and Dave Mawson equalised from the spot after Gary Messer was brought down. The two teams meet again tomorrow at Dunston in the league cup

In the other second division matches, Crook Town are effectively third bottom, taking into consideration what is sure to be a six point deduction by the league management committee for playing an ineligible player, after they lost 4-2 at home to Murton. They led 2-1 at half time until Murton hit back.

Washington Nissan are now 12 points clear at the top after they beat Kennek Ryhope CA 5-0. Paul Conlon scored two of the goals, with Adam Johnston scoring another to take his tally for the season to 24.

Easington dropped a place after they surprisingly lost 3-1 at Alnwick.

Thornaby are now fourth after a 2-1 win at Seaham Red Star, Jamie Clark and Andy Banks scoring.

Penrith are still unbeaten in the league, but they dropped points in a 2-2 draw at Norton.

Horden are still well in touch after a 3-1 home win over South Shields, but they were losing at half time.

Eppleton, the previous bottom club, had a good 3-0 win at Hebburn.

Division Two: Alnwick 3 (Swordy, Belisle 2) Easington 1 (Ould), Crook Town 2 (Burgess, Southern) Murton 4 (Diamond 2, McCartney, Luke og), Hebburn 0 Eppleton 3 (McGargle, Dibie, Keegans), Horden 3 (Jewson, Devine, Lines) South Shields 1 (Stephenson) , Norton 2 (Fielding 2) Penrith 2 (Irving, Hodgson), Seaham Red Star 1 (Taylor) Thornaby 2 (Banks, Clark), Washington Nissan 5 (Conlon 2, Bruce, Johnston, Peterson) Kennek Ryhope CA 0, Willington 1 (Denham) Ashington 9 (Hogg 2, Nash 2, Herron, Sinclair, Campbell, Livermore, Rand og)

The draw for the semi finals of the Durham Challenge Cup: Billingham Synthonia v Dunston, Horden v Birtley. Ties to be played in early February.