Horden chairman Norman Stephens has told the club's absent players he "won't be held to ransom" - and is prepared to put them on the transfer list.

All but three of Horden's first team squad refused to turn up at Ashington on Saturday in a row about money, and Stephens said: "Everyone who refused to turn up, will be put on the transfer list. It is shocking that a group of players can hold the club to ransom in the way they've done.

"We've introduced a new wage structure in an effort to stabilise the club. Players don't realise what it takes to run a football club, and I'm doing all I can to keep it afloat. We have to cut our cloth accordingly."

It wasn't a good day on the field for Horden on Saturday, as they were beaten 5-1 by fellow strugglers Ashington.

Alan Hogg put Ashington into an early lead with a delicate chip, but Craig Stephens equalised for Horden, who then had midfielder Lee Dixon sent off for a foul. Horden held on until half time, but in the second half Marc Richardson ran through and slid the ball home for 2-1, and Andrew Johnson volleyed in an Ian Herron cross for the third.

Herron got another from close range, and Kris Allington ran through for another. Derek Attwell of Ashington was shown red late in the game

Darlington RA suffered a bad home defeat, 5-1 against Jarrow Roofing, leaving them just one place above the relegation zone.

Roofing were 2-0 up when James Chapman pulled one back for the RA, but after the break the RA were reduced to ten men when Chapman was red carded for throwing the ball at an opponent, and Roofing made them pay.

RA's away game at Horden might be switched to Brinkburn Road on Wednesday night because of floodlight problems at Horden.

League leaders Shildon are now unbeaten in 12 matches after they beat bottom club Bedlington for the second time in a week, this time by 4-0.

Shildon took the lead just before half time, when Kevin Shoulder scored with a header, and they went 2-0 up within a minute of the restart when Adam Emson scored his eighth league goal of the season with a cross-cum-shot that went in off the post. Shoulder quickly added another, then Emson, who is being tracked by Stockport County, scored his fifth in a week against Bedlington with the goal of the game when he beat a couple of defenders and fired into the top corner.

Sunderland Nissan stay third after a 2-0 home win over Bishop Auckland, who are still in the bottom seven.

West Auckland had keeper Mark Bell and a last minute equaliser to thank for a 3-3 draw at Billingham Synthonia.

They took the lead when Leigh Grant scored with a glancing header from Danny Richmond's corner, but Michael Cater equalised from close range. West regained the lead when Synners keeper Gary Riches cleared the ball to the halfway line, from where West striker Darren Kokes volleyed it straight back into the goal. But Synners replied with two goals from Shaun Hope, both of them headers from free kicks. West keeper Bell then pulled off two good saves and also stopped a penalty, and West levelled in the last minute when Richmond crossed for Mattie Moffat to head home.

Billingham Town have now won five in a row after a 2-1 victory at Northallerton.

On a difficult pitch, Northallerton missed two good chances in the first half, but it was Billingham who took the lead after 65 minutes when a Steve Huggins corner was flocked on for David Abel to head in from a few yards.

They went 2-0 up a few minutes later when Steve Flockett set up Chris Emms to fire into the roof of the net from 25 yards. Northallerton pulled a goal back late in the game from the spot through Simon Kasonali.

Tow Law are now in the top half of the table after beating Newcastle Blue Star 1-0 at Ironworks Road thanks to a goal by Andy Thompson.

Consett brushed Durham City aside by 4-1 at Belle Vue to go fifth.

Former Durham player Michael Mackay put Consett into the lead from the spot following a handball, then a low shot by Marc Eccles was deflected past his own keeper by defender Andy Bowes. City pulled a goal back just before half-time from the spot through Tommy English, but Consett after hitting the bar twice, went 3-1 up on 74 minutes when David Pounder volleyed home a cross from the right. Mackay headed into the top corner for the fourth.

Dunston are up to sixth following a 3-2 away win at second bottom West Allotment.

They were 2-0 but Allotment hit back with a penalty by Ben Dawson and a goal from David Potts. But, after Armstrong missed a penalty for Dunston, Steve Preen scored the winner.

In the second division, Spennymoor lost ground on the top two after they lost 1-0 at home to South Shields - player-manager Gary Steadman scored from the spot. Shields are top, because Penrith could only draw 1-1 at North Shields.

Five clubs are tied for fourth, and newcomers Stokesley are one of them after beating Prudhoe 4-2. Stokesley scorers were Richard Hore, Stuart Wise, and two from James Alsop.

Hebburn are above them on goal difference after they thumped Team Northumbria 4-0.

Norton have games in hand on everybody above them after they beat bottom club Sunderland RCA 4-0. New signing Craig Lake was amongst the scorers for Norton, with Graeme Baverstock (2) and Tyson Masters, with his tenth of the season, getting the others.

Esh Winning and Marske drew 1-1 at Waterhouses. Shaun Gregory gave Esh the lead, but Garry Hinchley equalised for the visitors.

Guisborough were beaten 1-0 by Ryton while the games at Morpeth, Alnwick and Thornaby were all postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

Brandon were knocked out of the Durham Challenge Cup at home by Hartlepool Reserves, by 4-1. They led at one stage thanks to an own goal by a Hartlepool defender.

Whitby are in third place in the UniBond League after they beat Grantham 3-1 at the Turnbull Ground. Aaron Wilford and David McTiernan put them 2-0 up inside the first 25 minutes, and after Grantham pulled one back, Mattie Appleby got the third from a free kick.

Gateshead drew 1-1 at Witton Albion, David Southern scoring for the Tynesiders.