Newton Aycliffe suffered a blow in their relegation fight when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Penrith last night.

Newton Aycliffe had the better of the early chances in their game against Penrith, but they fell behind when Matthew Read scored from the spot following a foul by Danny Lambert on Ben Jackson. Aycliffe levelled just after half time when Kris Hughes crossed for Lambert to firing home close range, but Penrith regained the lead again when Jackson scored with a 30 yarder into the top corner. Aycliffe pushed for an equaliser, but they were caught two minutes from time when Scott Allison fired past Scott Pocklington Dunston maintained their excellent defensive record, drawing 0-0 at Billingham Synthonia for their tenth clean sheet in 11 matches.

Bedlington beat Marske United 3-1 to go fifth. They took the lead through Phil Bannister, but Jordan Hugill levelled at the start of the second half from a rebound. Bedlington regained the lead when Bannister scored from close range, and then Martin Brittain fired the third.

In the second division, North Shields won 3-1 at Ryton. They took the lead on 56 minutes when James Harmison scored from a Ben Richardson free kick, and Rob Nolan made it 2-0 on 77 minutes. Ryton pulled one back from a free kick by David Backhouse, but Shields went 3-1 up through Dean Holmes. Ryton had Marc Nicholson sent off.

West Allotment easily beat Birtley 4-1. They took an early lead through Dean Lee,, with player manager Paul Stoneman quickly adding the second. David Dormand fired the third just before the break. Birtley hit back from a Wyn Fremlyn free kick, but Lee then scored his second of the game.

Morpeth moved closer to the second division leaders, beating Jarrow Roofing 3-2.