Bishop Auckland manager Brian Healy is well aware of the task facing him as manager in the UniBond First Division after they lost their basement battle 2-1 at Spalding.

Healy, appointed a fortnight ago, watched his side give away two goals in the first half, said: "I knew when I took over that this is going to be a difficult job, but it is worse than that.

"The first half display was unacceptable, and I told the players at half-time in no uncertain terms. They just didn't work hard enough, although there was an improvement after half-time.

"I was flabbergasted, and we're not good enough in certain parts of the field."

Spalding took the lead on 32 minutes with a shot by Kevin Childs before Andy Stanhope scored the second.

Bishops improved and were awarded a penalty for a foul just after the interval. Mark Sheeran's first effort was ordered to be retaken and replacement Danny Newby scored from the spot.

Bishops are now second bottom, three points behind Eastwood Town.

Gateshead climbed out of the bottom three of the Premier Division when they beat Ashton United 3-2 at the International Stadium.

Paul Thompson with a penalty, and Paul Taylor put Gateshead 2-0 up, and after Ashton hit back to equalise before half-time, Sonny Parker got the winner for Gateshead on 57 minutes.

Whitby were thumped 4-1 at Matlock, their goal scored by Craig Veart from the spot with just two minutes left.

Blyth face a tricky replay tomorrow night in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Midland Alliance club Chasetown at Croft Park.

Lee Bullimoure put Chasetown into the lead after 19 minutes, but Peter Snowdon levelled with a header from a Gareth Williams cross.

Blyth looked to be going out when Steve Edwards fired Chasetown into the lead on 80 minutes, but Graeme Fenton was felled in the area and Robert Dale scored from the spot.

The winners are at home to Oldham in the first round proper.