Newton Aycliffe manager Deano Browne admitted that his team is going through a tough spell after they were beaten 3-1 at third bottom Seaham Red Star on Saturday.

Aycliffe dropped to sixth from bottom with this defeat, and they haven’t won in five matches, although they should have done better at Bishop Auckland in midweek when they were winning 2-0 at one point but lost 3-2.

“It was a tough defeat to take,” said Browne. “We were poor in the first 10 minutes and deserved to be 1-0 down. We dominated the next 70 minutes and should have had a comfortable lead, but then a freak incident when our keeper slipped, handed them the advantage and we couldn't recover from there. We’re going through a tough spell at the moment -- every mistake is getting punished, each decision is going against us, but we will keep working hard to put it right.”

Paul Gardiner ran through and put Seaham into an early lead, but Dan Wright equalised when he slotted the ball under the keeper.

But keeper Adam Pickford slipped and allowed Dan Wilson to score, then Anthony Johnson scored from a few yards.

West Auckland scored twice in the second half to beat Whitley Bay 2-0 at the Wanted Stadium.

Amar Purewal headed them in front from a David Dowson cross, then new signing MacKenzie Heaney curled in a free kick for the second three minutes from time.

West Auckland manager Gary Forrest said; “It was a solid win. We were poor in the first half and didn’t get going, but we improved in the second half and won comfortably.”

West remain in seventh place, but Shildon are now one place behind them after they won 3-1 at Newcastle Benfield.

The home side took the lead with a powerful strike by Dale Pearson, but Shildon, who included new striker Zak Atkinson from Ashington, hit back with an excellent second half.

Straight after the restart Brad Hird fired Shildon level, then Billy Greulich-Smith scored from a rebound to put the Railwaymen in the lead.

Right at the end, Nathan Steel grabbed a third for the visitors.

Shildon manager Danny Moore said; “I thought that was our best 90-minute performance of the season.”

In the other matches, leaders Consett were held to a 2-2 draw at lowly Whickham, which means that they are just a point ahead of Dunston UTS, who beat Sunderland RCA 3-1. Bishop Auckland, who didn’t have a game, are third.

Guisborough lost 5-3 at home to Ashington, while Stockton Town gained revenge for their FA Vase defeat by beating Hebburn 3-2.

Bottom club Penrith are still without a win after drawing 1-1 with Ryhope CW.

Chester-le-Street won the second division game of the day by 2-1 at Northallerton.

Michael Graver gave Chester the lead with an effort that home keeper Tom Dawson fumbled into the net, but Nicky Martin equalised.

However, Dominic Laws headed the winner eight minutes from time. Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was a very gritty display from us. We stopped Allerton playing at every opportunity and they ended up not having a plan B to try and break us down. Our two goals came from goal keeping mistakes but over the full game I felt we deserved the win as we created the clearest chances throughout the game.”

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “Unfortunately the game was not as good as it should have been both teams cancelling out each other.

“In the end it was won by the team who made the least mistakes and fair play to Chester they were more disciplined and deserved the win.”

The two clubs are now level on points in joint third.

Willington edged closer to the top three by winning 3-1 at Birtley. Joe Barwick put Birtley into the lead midway through the first half, but after Dean Thexton missed a penalty, Mattie Moffat converted a second award, then an own goal by Jordan Bolton and a Thexton effort gave them the points.

Crook Town won for the first time in five matches with a 3-0 victory at Washington, all the goals coming in the first half through Phil Caley, Jake Petitjean and Callum Johnston.

Crook Town manager Jamie Tunstall said; “The result and performance have been coming for a while. We took last week’s performance in which we didn't get what we deserved into this week and were excellent, especially first half. Important to get a clean sheet too. A very good day at the office for us.”

Esh Winning climbed out of the bottom three with a good 2-1 home win over West Allotment.

The visitors led through Michael Baxter, but Esh hit back with goals by Thomas Young and sub Reece Brown, and held on after Sam Steele was red -carded.

Esh Winning manager Tony Boakes said; “It was a great result for us. We defended very well, were mistake-free and limited West Allotment to just a few chances.”

Tow Law moved up to seventh from bottom with a 2-0 away win at Brandon, new signings Josh Scott and Matty Pennal securing the points.

Tow Law manager Steve Murray said; “It was a comfortable win with both new signings scoring so that's always pleasing.”

Durham City’s woes at the bottom continued when they were beaten 6-0 at home by Redcar Athletic, which leaves them 16 points behind the third bottom club.

Durham manager Billy Harper said; “We gifted the game to Redcar with 3 stupid own goals. We had early chances to go in front but again either poor finishing or lack of fortune going with us. Another couple of injuries but we regroup again for next week’s game.”

In the other games, Billingham Town are now unbeaten in 25 league games after they won 1-0 at Bedlington, while Thornaby remain eight points behind after winning 2-0 at Ryton and Crawcrook.