Esh Winning manager Vince Kirkup blasted his players after they were thumped 6-0 at champions Dunston.

Dunston have been out of sorts recently, but were too strong for Esh.

Kirkup, in his 29th consecutive year of management, stormed: "Too many players failed to come up with the goods and not for the first time. Some weren't up for the fight and fell short of the mark and that's unacceptable. Players must change their attitude."

Dunston took an early lead when Graeme Armstrong beat a defender and scored with a low shot, and then new signing Jamie Howe crossed for Alex Benjamin to head the second.

Benjamin scored another from close range, and then Armstrong, who had a trial at Lincoln City earlier in the season, headed the fourth.

Benjamin provided the pass for Stephen Pickering to sidefoot the fifth, and Armstrong got another from a corner near the end for his 15th league goal of the season.

Shildon, who have picked up points against the leading teams in recent weeks, beat Billingham Synthonia 1-0 at Dean Street.

The only goal came after 25 minutes when Ben Everson beat two men in a run down the wing and crossed for Wayne Gredziak to volley his ninth league goal of the season.

Bedlington are six points clear at the top after they pipped Sunderland Nissan 4-3, with Keith Douglas scoring a hat-trick.

Gareth McAlindon put Bedlington into the lead with a rasping 25 yarder, but Stephen Stewart equalised when he pounced on a defensive mistake.

Douglas put Bedlington back into the lead on 39 minutes from a Paul Robinson pass, but Stephen Halliday equalised from the spot.

Douglas restored the lead again when he broke through and rounded John Caffry, but Anthony Lund beat two men to fire another equaliser. Douglas settled when he scored from a pass by Steve Preen.

Bedlington's Colin Morton was dismissed for violent conduct near the end.

Two points now cover the ten clubs from Durham City in third to Tow Law in 12th. Jarrow Roofing, third a fortnight ago, have dropped to seventh after a 1-0 defeat at Tow Law. Scott Emmerson scored the winner on 16 minutes.

Chester-le-Street are fifth after they beat Morpeth 2-0. They took the lead after 24 minutes when Martin Bowes headed in a John Ewart corner and ten minutes later Phil Bell headed the second.

Whitley Bay moved further away from trouble near the bottom with a 2-1 home win over Thornaby.

Neil Campbell hit the bar for Thornaby in the first half, but Whitley came more into the game and Chris Bone had a shot well saved. Player-manager Ian Chandler fired Whitley into the lead on 79 minutes, then four minutes later Wayne Phillips got a second from close range. Thornaby pulled one back through Campbell, but couldn't force an equaliser.

Brandon are nine points adrift of safety after they lost to a last minute goal at Newcastle Benfield.

Alu Bangura put Benfield into the lead, but Brandon levelled through Scott Nattress. But just as it looked as if Brandon would hold on for a vital point, Micky Chilton was brought down and he scored from the spot.

Ashington are still without a home win after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Horden.

Both goals came in the space of three minutes in the second half. Kevin Devine put Horden into the lead from a pass by new signing Tony Hall, but shortly after Ashington levelled through Wayne Rigg.

Horden have been boosted by the news that full back David Morgan has turned down a move back to his old club Gateshead.

Consett made it ten wins from ten games in the second division when they won 3-1 at Penrith.

Craig Tate (2) and Mark Patterson were on target.

Washington are second after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Darlington RA for whom Michael Carter missed a penalty.

Gary Messer put Washington into the lead, but they levelled with five minutes left through Nick Harrison.

Whickham are third after they thumped Alnwick 6-1 at the Glebe.

Seaham Red Star ended Northallerton's unbeaten away record with a 2-1 win at Welfare Park.

Northallerton were well on top in the first half but missed several chances, before Seaham took the lead with a penalty by Anth Laidler.

Jennings got the second on 55 minutes with a good solo goal, and even though Seaham had Gareth Murphy sent off, Northallerton could only pull one back through John Ryan

Crook Town had a 4-0 win at South Shields to lift them into tenth place.

Danny Mellanby fired them into an early lead, and then he opened up the defence for Sam Vernalls to get the second. Jonathan Milroy got two more in the second half.

Norton climbed three places after they beat Kennek Ryhope CA 2-1.

Kevin Taylor gave Ryhope the lead, but John Fielding equalised, and former Boro junior Marcus Laing got the winner.

Bottom club Guisborough's woes continued when they were beaten 5-1 at Ryton. Recent signings Julian Freeman (2) and John Ludlow were on target for Ryton along with David Henderson (2). Ray Woodhouse replied for Guisborough

Prudhoe beat Hebburn 4-2. They scored twice in the first half through new signing Michael Pitt and Andrew Bulford, who also scored another early in the second half. Jamie Elrington pulled one back, but Pitt got another before Owen Peterson scored again for Hebburn.

North Shields came from behind twice to win 3-2 at Marske United. Peter Boldison and then Drew Lambert put Marske in front, but Andy Stokes and Paul Gibbs in turn equalised for Shields. Andy Matthews got the winner with his sixth league goal of the season.