Arngrove Northern League: Shildon manager Gary Forrest had mixed feelings after his side almost ended Durham's unbeaten home record at the Archibalds Stadium.

Shildon, battling to stay clear of the relegation zone, were within minutes of a valuable win before Durham scored a late equaliser.

"In one way it's a good point, but in another way we're gutted that we only drew," said Forrest. "The good thing is that considering we didn't have a team in the summer, we're slowly getting there. The players ran themselves into the ground. We drew with Blue Star last week as well, and the players are disappointed that we haven't won."

Former Shildon striker Garry Barnes put City into the lead just before half time. But Wayne Gredziak levelled from 25 yards, then Neale Bartlett scored direct from a corner to put them 2-1 up on 75 minutes.

But new signing Steve Richardson from Gateshead popped up with the equaliser in the dying minutes.

West Auckland pulled off a good result, beating champions Dunston 3-1.

Mattie Moffat created the first goal after eight minutes when he beat two men on a run into the box and set up Ian Maddison. They held on to the lead until the 65th minute when Scott Robson scored from a Graeme Armstrong pass.

West went back into the lead when Mark Taylor headed a Dale Jardine cross into his own net, and in stoppage time Lee Ellison fired home from 25 yards.

Dunston defender Christian Hanson has signed non contract forms with Leyton Orient. Hanson has already played in the pro game for Port Vale, as well as for Billingham Synthonia in the Northern League.

Lowly Whitley Bay had the surprise win of the day, beating third-placed Jarrow Roofing 3-0.

Wayne Phillips put Whitley into the lead on 18 minutes, and seven minutes later new signing Chris Bone got the second. Gary McCormick finished Jarrow off in the last minute. Whitley are now fifth from bottom.

Bedlington are six points clear at the top after they won 1-0 at Horden. Steve Preen scored the only goal of the game after six minutes.

Sunderland Nissan had a good 2-1 away win at West Allotment.

They took the lead when a defensive clearance dropped for Darren Sankey to put them in the lead. Allotment levelled when Andy Hay scored from a Dean Douglas corner on the hour. Allotment missed several chances to win it, and Nissan made them pay when Gavin Cogdon got the winner.

Billingham Town scored four goals in Northumberland for the second successive game, winning 4-1 at Morpeth to put them fourth.

Town took the lead after ten minutes when Steve Huggins curled home. John McKie got the second just before half-time when he turned the ball home from close range, and early in the second half Clarke scored his tenth league goal of the season. Morpeth pulled one back through Lee Ludlow, but Steve Flockett got the fourth.

Esh Winning dropped back into the bottom three after they lost 3-1 at home to Chester-le-Street.

Recent signing John Ewart put Chester in front, then Martin Bowes got the second ten minutes after half-time. Wightman got the third from the spot, before Ian Bickerstaffe pulled a goal back for Esh.

Thornaby lost for the second time in four days, this time 2-0 at home to Newcastle Benfield.

Micky Chilton headed Benfield in front from a free kick just before half time, but they then had defender Jonny Brown sent off. However, the ten men scored a second when Adam Scope chipped Thornaby keeper Chris Simpson.

Billingham Synthonia beat ten-man Tow Law 3-0 at Central Avenue. Lawyers had keeper Andrew Spence dismissed for a professional foul early in the game, and then Synners went 1-0 up when Micky Dunwell fired home from 25 yards. Lee Flanagan scored the second on 19 minutes, and Colin Iley made sure just after half time.

Ashington won their basement battle 3-1 at Brandon. Ashington took the lead on 48 minutes with a volley by Paul Hollier, then he blasted in a second from the edge of the box.

Paul Hogg made it 3-0 before Kevin Shoulder pulled one back for Brandon from the penalty spot.

Consett striker Craig Tate scored a hat-trick to take his tally to 13 goals in his last six games, and preserve his side's 100 per cent record as they beat Marske 4-1. Michael Mackay scored the other goal for Consett, who are now four points clear. Peter Boldison pulled a goal back for Marske.

Darlington RA had a man sent off early in the game, and lost 2-1 at home to South Shields.

Lee Johnston was red carded for deliberate handball after five minutes, and Phil Makel scored from the penalty.

Warren Byrne levelled for the RA with his 20th league goal of the season, but Paul Terrell scored the winner for Shields with five minutes left to give them their second win of the season.

The RA are at Gateshead Low Fell tonight in the Durham Challenge Cup, and have several players out injured.

Whickham are now fifth after they won their first home league game of the season 3-0 against Washington.

Andy Elliott opened the scoring, then Ian Robson headed the second before half time, his eighth league goal of the season. Brodie got the third near the end.

Crook and Seaham Red Star shared the points after a 3-3 draw.

Seaham got off to a great start with two strikes from Andy Jennings in the first 20 minutes, but Crook hit back. Roy Allen scored from close range, and then Jonathan Milroy levelled following a good run.

Seaham went back into the lead before half time, but Jamie Harwood equalised again.

Northallerton won their first home game of the season by coming from behind to beat Ryton 2-1, and are now eighth.

The visitors took the lead with a shot by Carl Piecha after five minutes, but Northallerton levelled with an effort by Micky Waller. Chillingsworth got the winner just before half time.

Prudhoe beat Alnwick 3-0, with Andrew Bulford scoring all three in the last 15 minutes, while Hebburn beat Norton 2-1, with Gary McCartney scoring both their goals. Darren Morton scored for the visitors.

Guisborough are now adrift at the bottom after they lost 2-1 at home to North Shields.

Paul Gibbs scored a goal for Shields in each half, while Guisborough had Steve Keenan dismissed for two bookable offences. Substitute Daniel Joseph scored for Guisborough near the end.

Peterlee are second bottom after they lost 3-2 at home to Penrith. Peterlee's Darryl Evans scored at both ends, with Dan Broadley scoring twice for Penrith and John Dowden for Peterlee.

On Friday night, Kennek Ryhope CA won their first game of the season in style, beating Spennymoor 5-2.

They went four goals up in the first 20 minutes through David Christie (two), Gareth Hill and Karl Jarvis, and even though Stephen Houlahan scored twice at the start of the second half, Niall Flynn finished them off.