Durham City manager Neil Hixon has been sacked after an embarrassing defeat at the weekend.

Hixon's side lost 2-0 at home to Hebburn in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup and yesterday he paid the price.

The manager labelled his players "a disgrace", and was later called into a board meeting when he was told that both he and assistant Graeme Clark were sacked.

City chairman Stewart Dawson said: "The performances have been very poor this season. Our league results have only been OK, and we've only had one decent performance at Dunston where we won.

"With the quality of the players we've brought in, we should be doing better."

Hixon was Durham's third manager this year following Billy Cruddas and Andy Toman and Dawson says that a decision on who will take over "won't be a long process."

Hixon was stunned by yesterday's announcement.

"If we'd been two months down the line and near the bottom of the table, I would have held my hands up.

"But we're third from top and unbeaten since the first week of the season in the league. Don't all teams put in a bad performance from time to time?"

During the summer City rebuilt their side but Hebburn, who only escaped relegation from the Second Division of the ANL on the closing day of last season, beat them with a goal in each half.

"The players were a disgrace," blasted Hixon.

"They were a complete and utter shambles. We had plenty of possession but we didn't have ideas on how to break Hebburn down. The players we brought in during the summer were supposed to be the pick of the crop - but they didn't give 100 per cent."

Hebburn took the lead just before half time when a long throw was flicked on for Rob Marsden to fire home.

Durham tried to get back in the game in the second half but Hebburn completed the shock when Gary Fulcher got the second ten minutes from the end.

Bishop Auckland breathed a sigh of relief as they clinched a 0-0 draw at Chorley and a replay on Wednesday night.

Manager Brian Honour said: "We only had 12 players and were held up on the way to the ground, so in the circumstances we're delighted to be in the hat still - but there's a lot more work to be done on Wednesday."

Bishops' Mark Sheeran came closest to scoring when his shot from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar.

The team coach was held up for two hours because of an accident on the M62.

Chester-le-Street had a 2-0 win at Curzon Ashton, scoring both their goals early in the game.

Phil Bell put them into the lead when he turned quickly in the box and scored with a low shot, then Andy Cuthbertson quickly got the second.

Chester missed more chances to make sure.

Billingham Synthonia came from behind to beat Retford 4-2 at Central Avenue.

Retford took the lead but Shaun Hope equalised with a header on 65 minutes.

Neil Harvey restored the lead for the visitors but the visiting keeper dropped a corner for Micky Dunwell to turn home.

Lee Flanagan put Synners into the lead from a Craig Lake cross after 74 minutes and six minutes later Flanagan was fouled, and Dunwell scored from the spot.

Dunston beat Thackley 4-1 at Federation Park. Graeme Armstrong (2), Benn Thompson and Scott Robson were on target.

Billingham Town enjoyed an excellent result, twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 at Rossendale.

Town first equalised through Chris Smith then David Yale levelled from the spot after a handball offence. The sides replay tomorrow night.

Northallerton will also replay following a 3-3 draw at St Helens, although they were 2-0 up at one stage.

They took the lead after 15 minutes through a Dave Goodchild header from a corner, then Karl Charlton got the second with a low shot.

But St Helens stormed back to lead 3-2 before John Ryan salvaged a replay.

Consett easily won 4-0 at Seaham Red Star. Chris Douglas crossed for Kraig Wilkinson to score from a few yards and Damien Maw quickly made it two. Scott MacDonald scored from the edge of the box before Douglas got his second.

West Auckland led 3-1 at Thornaby at one stage but poor defending saw them lose 4-3.

Brian Fairhurst put West into the lead with a low shot but Thornaby equalised through Michael Jameson.

Danny Richmond put West ahead again with a header at the near post and he increased the lead from a Mattie Moffat pass. But Michael Oliver and Neil Campbell took advantage of some poor defending to put Thornaby back in the game and then Richie Storr scored the winner.

Whitby had to come from behind to beat Newcastle Blue Star 2-1. Andy Carr gave Star the lead with a low shot on 11 minutes, but Scott Nicholson levelled and Paul Atkinson fired the winner.

Blyth are through after a 2-1 win at fellow UniBond side Wakefield-Emley. Stephen Kenworthy and Liam Gildea scored.

Whitley Bay went out, surprisingly beaten 2-1 at home by Ramsbottom.

* The draw for the second qualifying round will be made at lunchtime today.