West Auckland continued their climb up the table with a comfortable 4-0 home win in their local derby against Shildon on Saturday.

With their injury problems slowly clearing up, West have won four out of their last five league games to go ninth in the table.

West Auckland manager Gary Forrest said; “Another win, a really good performance and players starting to really click. It was a pleasure to watch.”

They took the lead after just two minutes when Amar Purewal burst through and set up Adam Mitchell to score from a few yards, then Purewal set up David Dowson to make it 2-0 just after half time.

Liam Hegarty crossed for Dowson to make it 3-0 on 54 minutes, then Purewal fired the fourth.

Shildon manager Danny Moore said; “We were second best in every department and deserved nothing.”

Newton Aycliffe enjoyed an excellent 5-0 away win at second bottom Seaham Red Star, with Dean Thexton scoring four of them, two in each half. Gerard Richardson added the fifth.

Manager Colin Stromsoy said; “It was an outstanding team performance with standout individual performances by Dean Thexton and Liam McNamara. We fully deserved the 5-0 score line and we scored some great team goals. I was also delighted with the clean sheet as that was a real focus.”

Bishop Auckland drew 2-2 at Ryhope CW to put them 11th in the table.

Bailey Judson put them in front, but Danni Lay and Robbie Bird hit back for Ryhope. However, Darryl Hall struck the equaliser for a point.

Bishop Auckland manager Ian Chandler said; “It was probably a fair result; we didn't perform very well. The first half was dour with no real chances. We got ahead after 30 seconds of the second half but couldn't defend the lead and found ourselves 2-1 down. It was a good fight back and goal from Daryll Hall but in the end we were happy with the point.”

Northallerton took a first half lead at Billingham Town, but were beaten 3-1. Stephen Cheeseman gave them the lead, but then they had new signing Nathan Steel red carded. Billingham took advantage and scored three times in the second half.

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “Ten men for an hour cost us. We were worth our advantage until the sending off.

“To rub that in more, the decision to award a free kick on the edge of the box midway through the second half was bizarre and from the resulting free kick they got the goal they craved.

“The work rate discipline and commitment were evident and the players can't be faulted for that.”

The result of the day in the first division was bottom club Thornaby’s 4-1 away win at leaders Hebburn.

In the second division Crook Town produced their best performance of the season to beat second placed West Allotment 4-0 at the Millfield.

Lee Hume and Callum Johnston put Crook 2-0 up in the first half, then Christian Holliday scored twice in the second half.

Crook manager Jamie Tunstall said; “We were absolutely delighted with how the game went. Playing one of the league leaders, we knew we had to be on the front foot from the off. We had a game plan which worked really well and I thought we were totally dominant throughout and probably should have been more. The lads were absolutely first class, their work rate was phenomenal and got their just rewards. I'm delighted with each and every single one of them.”

Willington conceded six for the second successive Saturday when they lost 6-4 at Newcastle University.

Morghan Claydon gave them the lead, but then the Uni went 6-1 up before Claydon and Luke Bailey (2) scored late goals.

Manager Ibby Hassan said; “I felt that following a good start we were the architects of our own downfall. We didn't do a lot of the basics well and allowed them back into the game far too casually. The Uni were good value for their win, pressed us well and were clinical with the chances that presented themselves. We will need to do a lot of reflecting to get it right in the midweek for a cup game that has a lot of pride at stake. We will turn things around I don't doubt.”

Tow Law had a good 3-0 away win at newcomers Carlisle City to put them seventh in the table.

Robert Shields, Fraser Colling and Dale Milburn scored for Lawyers.

Manager Micky Vasey said; “We played well from the start. It got a bit scrappy in the second half but should have won by more.”

Chester-le-Street lost ground on the leaders when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Billingham Synthonia.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was a game of two halves where Synners dominated first half and I feel we had the better of the second without really creating too many clear-cut chances. A poor goal to concede from a free kick has cost us the points but positives to take from the second half improvement.”

Brandon were held to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland West End to leave them second bottom of the table.

They were behind twice but hit back with goals by Bradley Chisholm and Lewis Martin.

Brandon manager Rob Bowron said; “We are disappointed we didn't quite get to the heights of midweek. It is however a point on the board. We know we can be better though, and we are getting much needed minutes into a number of players coming back from injury.”

Durham City are still rock bottom after losing 4-0 at home to Bedlington. Manager Billy Harper said; “It was a terrible performance from all involved. There are no excuses from us as they lads were very poor and negative throughout the whole 90 minutes.”

Esh Winning went down 3-2 at Redcar Athletic. They were 3-0 down at half time before Callum Boakes scored twice in the second half.