Crook Town were left to regret their missed chances when they were beaten 2-0 at Redcar in the ENL Second Division on Saturday.

Crook are enjoying their best start to the season for several years, but they were undone by poor finishing and a goal in each half.

Manager Jamie Tunstall said; “We were obviously disappointed to lose but I thought the lads stuck to the game plan so well and limited Redcar all the first half. How we've gone in 1-0 down at half time I'll never know, we missed three great chances. Second half we came out and missed two more fantastic chances so we're kicking ourselves at the result. We're just not getting the rub of the green at the minute but I'm sure that'll turn if we keep doing what we're doing.”

In the first division, Shildon pulled off an excellent 5-1 derby win at Bishop Auckland, who finished the game with nine men.

Bishop Auckland manager Ian Chandler said; “The first 30 minutes we were very comfortable leading 1-0 then we needed to dig in and get to half time but we conceded an equaliser which should have been a foul on our keeper, Nick Liversedge, but wasn't given. We then conceded two inside five minutes. The second half we were chasing the game and conceded two further goals but played the last fifteen with nine men after Callum Munro was sent off and Chris Winn had to come off injured.”

Bishops took the lead with a header by Chris Winn after a good first half hour, but Billy Greulich-Smith (2) and Matty Robson put Shildon in control before half time.

Aidan Heywood and Kurt Matthews added further goals in the second half.

West Auckland recovered from their midweek defeat at Northallerton by beating Whickham 3-0 at the Wanted Stadium.

West Auckland manager Gary Forrest said; “It was a really good performance considering the players we had missing. We took our chances for once. There was a positive reaction all round.”

Amar Purewal and Adam Mitchell scored in the first half, with Rees Greenwood scoring a third after the break.

Newton Aycliffe came from behind to win 2-1 at Consett and put them seventh in the table.

Consett took the lead with a Luke Carr shot that was deflected in off Aycliffe defender Liam McNamara, and they held on to that until Dean Thexton equalised midway through the second half. Shaun Ryder fired the winner deep into stoppage time.

Manager Colin Stromsoy said; “Once again we showed outstanding character to come from being a goal down despite being the better team in the first half. Both teams could and should have scored before they did, it was a very open game. Consett played very well in the first part of the second half but we got through it and managed to get a decent goal and scored with the last kick of the game. On balance I believed we deserved the win; we had more chances to score and went right to the end.”

Northallerton faded badly in the second half at league leaders Hebburn and were thumped 6-1.

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “It was a disappointing result, we worked hard for most of the game but Hebburn’s quality showed in the end “I can't complain about the score line, but it's another lesson in the things we have to improve on tin order to o compete at this level week in week out -- and if you don't learn you get punished.”

Northallerton only trailed 1-0 at the break and got back into the game when Dan Jones scored on 65 minutes to make the score 3-1 at the time.

In the other first division games, Billingham Town won their local derby against Guisborough thanks to a Craig Hutchinson goal, while Penrith won their first game of the season by 2-1 against Ryhope CW.

Ashington came from a goal down to beat North Shields 2-1.

In the second division, Willington suffered a blow when they were beaten by a late goal at Billingham Synthonia and are now four points behind the top three.

Willington manager Ibby Hassan said; “A disappointing result given the standards we have come to expect. I felt that we lacked a certain amount of creativity in the final third which has previously been one of our strong points. The fact that we had to take our two main strikers off at half time due to injuries changed the dynamic of how we played. I thought Billingham were worth the three points all said and done. We go again midweek and hopefully get back to winning ways.”

Esh Winning picked up a good point in a 2-2 draw at Ryton and Crawcrook, but they could have had all three if Nick Marley hadn’t missed a penalty with five minutes left.

Manager Tony Boakes said; “Yet again I’m like a broken record. We were the best side and should have scored another couple of goals but we were happy to take a point away to Ryton who are flying.” Callum Boakes and Nick Marley scored the goals for Esh.

Durham City have dropped to the bottom of the table because of Easington’s 5-2 home win over Bedlington, and their 5-0 home defeat by Chester-le-Street.

Durham manager Billy Harper said; “It was our worst performance of the season and we didn't deserve a thing after so much negativity when on the ball. To be truthful it was an embarrassing result especially when we all know what we are capable of. Well done to Chester, it's as simple as that.”

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was much better result than of late. It was poor performance in the first half that was at best scrappy but second half much improved and deserved to win and keep a clean sheet. To win by a large margin in the manner that we did by playing football was pleasing, so a good performance.”

Chester’s scorers were Jak Mitchell, Luke Collins, Kevin Dixon, Andrew Clarkson and Harry Whisker.

Tow Law were held to a 1-1 draw at Heaton Stannington, Fraser Colling giving them the lead at one point.

Manager Micky Vasey said; “We played well and missed some good chances first half to put the game to bed. But Heaton battled hard and in the end a draw was probably a fair result. We’re looking to improve the squad this week with two new signings.”

Brandon were held to a 2-2 draw at Washington and are third bottom.

Brandon manager Rob Bowron said; “We were very disappointed not to come away with all three points. We battled hard with Washington definitely the better team for the first 25 minutes then after that it was all us. We just switched off at the end but missed the chances that we were given! The lads know this was two points dropped.”

Alex Dobinson and Mattie Lovegreen put Brandon 2-1 up, but the home side levelled with two minutes left.

Top of the table West Allotment are still unbeaten after a 3-2 away win at Newcastle University.

In the FA Cup, Stockton Town are through to the second qualifying round after winning 2-0 at Liversedge, while Morpeth beat Hyde United 3-1.

Whitby had a good 4-0 away win at Widnes, while Thornaby replay on Tuesday night after a 2-2 draw with Ossett United.

Marske drew the seasider derby 1-1 at Scarborough, while Sunderland RCA had a good 0-0 draw at Dunston.

Seaham Red Star were beaten 1-0 at home by Witton Albion.