Arngrove Northern League

CROOK Town's 11-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end in a 3-0 defeat at Norton - with manager Peter Dixon demanding his players start another.

Crook's last league defeat was against North Shields in Dixon's first game in charge in October, and he said: "I would like to think that we learned a bit about ourselves on Saturday, and now we must pick ourselves up again.

"Defeat wasn't a very nice feeling, and I wasn't very happy about the preparations of some of our players."

Norton took the lead with a Jon Dowden penalty, and the game turned against Crook when keeper Neil Compson dropped a Harrison Davies corner and Micky Dunwell pounced for the second. Graeme Baverstock ran through to score the third five minutes from the end to ensure Norton's third successive win under new manager Conrad Hillerby.

Darlington RA boss Marty Clennett isn't despondent after his side lost 1-0 at home to Prudhoe.

The RA haven't won since early October and are third bottom, but Clennett said: "It was the first time the players have shown some confidence.

They managed to get the ball down and pass it around. In terms of progress, there were a few ticked boxes."

Prudhoe got the winner just after half time with a strike by Jay Bates.

Durham City went top of the first division by beating Morpeth 3-1 at the Archibalds Stadium.

Manager Lee Collings said: "It was a great performance, and we could have scored more. One of our directors promised that if we were top at Christmas, he would buy us all drinks - and I think it's going to cost him!"

City took the lead when John Toft crossed for Calvin Smith to score from a few yards, then Steve Richardson finished off a flowing move for what Collings described as the best goal of the season.

Keith Graydon scored the third from 25 yards after 51 minutes, with Morpeth pulling a goal back through a Stephen Young penalty.

Billingham Town came back from a goal down to beat bottom club Jarrow Roofing 3-1 at Bedford Terrace.

The game livened up after an hour when Chris Archer ran through and beat Darren Collier to put Roofing into the lead, and Town discovered their form in the last 15 minutes. Nathan Jameson equalised from the edge of the box, then Steve Huggins put Town into the lead after Steve Flockett was brought down. John McKie opened up the Roofing defence for Flockett to chip the keeper near the end.

"We were very poor at times"

said assistant manager Lee Tucker. "We lacked tempo and energy until the last 20 minutes."

Shildon lost to Seaham Red Star by a 5-2 scoreline for the second time this season.

Star were three goals up before half time. Andy Appleby set up Lee Chapman to score in the opening minutes, then Appleby quickly scored the second from a Chris Bell pass.

Former Hartlepool United striker Appleby got the third before half-time from a Steve Halliday pass, then David Anderson had a penalty saved by Shildon keeper Andrew Spence. To make matters worse for Shildon, defender Chris Mason was sent off for two bookable offences.

Anderson handled inside his own area to give Shildon a penalty that Karl Everitt converted, but Bell cracked in a fourth, then set up sub Ian Watson to score the fifth.

Bishop Auckland picked up a point at Newcastle Benfield in a 1-1 draw.

Benfield had the better of the first half and missed several chances before Brian Dodsworth scored from the spot after former Bishop player Mark Sheeran was fouled by James Crossman.

Bishops came more into the game after half time, and levelled on 69 minutes when a Joe Fairish free kick caused problems, and Paul Crager scored from six yards after Crossman's shot was blocked on the line.

Bishops almost won it near the end, when teenage sub Darren Richardson hit a post.

West Auckland's hopes of a third successive away win were dashed by a Spennymoor comeback at the Brewery Field.

West had defender Michael Heckley dismissed for a foul on Moors' Karl Richards who suffered a head injury when he crashed into advertising hoarding, but they still took the lead when Dale Jardine's corner was helped on for Scott Nicholson to head home.

Moors levelled on 78 minutes when recent signing Jamie Clarke raced through and beat Alan Wilkinson, then within three minutes sub David Manson got the winner in a goalmouth scramble.

Second bottom Northallerton were easily beaten 4-0 at home by Dunston, who have now moved up to eighth.

Steve Preen gave Dunston the lead with a weak shot that went through Kevin Wolfe's legs, and after Northallerton hit the woodwork, Michael Dixon scored Dunston's second with a close range volley.

Michael Laws scored the third from a Neil Pattinson free kick, and Scott Swanston finished the scoring from a Pattinson corner.

West Allotment drew 1-1 with Ashington. Keeper Paul Simpson saved a stoppage time penalty from Allotment's Keith Douglas. Gary Bailes put Ashington into the lead with a header on 22 minutes, but Richardson equalised for Allotment on 79 minutes.

Second division leaders Birtley were beaten 3-0 at home by Marske United, who took the lead through Liam McPhillips on 57 minutes. Daryll Tomlinson made it 2-0, and Micky Waller rounded off the scoring from a corner.

Thornaby moved up to fifth by coming from behind to win 2- 1 at Esh Winning. Nicky Martin gave Esh the lead following a mistake in the Thornaby defence, but David Turner hit back from close range. Richie Walker got the winner with a shot through a crowd of players.

Sunderland RCA are sixth following a 3-2 home win over Horden. New signing Andy Jennings scored with two headers - although Horden claimed the second didn't cross the line - with Gary Shields scoring a third just after halftime.

Horden fought back when Roy Allen scored from a few yards, Afolabi Shekoni added a second, and Willie Crew missed a good chance for the equaliser.

Guisborough scored three times in the last ten minutes to beat Brandon 3-0 at the King George. Greg Booth (2) and Ben Everson scored late in the game.

Hebburn won 4-0 at Team Northumbria.

Consett's FA Vase tie was postponed for the third time because of a frozen pitch, and has been re-arranged for Saturday.

In the UniBond League, Gateshead were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Ashton United, Graeme Armstrong scoring.