Newton Aycliffe are up to joint third in the ENL after an impressive 4-0 home win over lowly Penrith on Saturday.

Dean Thexton scored a hat trick to give him 13 goals so far this season, and manager Colin Stromsoy said; “I was delighted with the players. We weren’t at our best but another outstanding display of finishing by Dean Thexton and a brilliant midfield display by Marc Costello. We were better out of possession, but we made far too many errors in possession. It was a great defensive display to contain their threat.”

Thexton scored after just five minutes, then he scored twice in three minutes by the hour mark. Liam McNamara scored a fourth, to put them level on points with Consett.

Bottom club Northallerton went down 4-3 at Newcastle Benfield, after being 2-0 and 3-2 up.

Debutant Charlie Graham and Connor Lowes put Northallerton 2-0 up, and after Benfield equalised, Jack Proctor made it 3-2. Dennis Knight completed a hat trick for Benfield, with Peter Glen-Ravenhill getting the other.

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “It was another frustrating day. We made stupid decisions that cost us dearly. We are showing great determination and desire to win games but it's the decisions in our final third that are costing us the most.”

West Auckland were just edged out 3-2 at Hebburn.

David Dowson levelled for West after Ben Dibb-Fuller put Hebburn in front, but then Michael Richardson and Graeme Armstrong made it 3-1 before Adam Mitchell pulled a late goal back. West dropped to tenth in the table, while Hebburn are ten points clear at the top, although Stockton have seven games in hand.

In the other first division games. Whitley Bay striker Brad Hird scored four of his side’s goals in their 6-2 win at Sunderland RCA.

Whickham were beaten 3-1 at home by North Shields.

In the second division, Tow Law ended Redcar Athletic’s unbeaten record with a 3-2 home win at Ironworks Road. Matty Moffat twice put Tow Law into the lead, with Joel Pearson adding a third before Redcar pulled a goal back.

Tow Law manager Micky Vasey said; “We played well. We created a lot of chances, hit the woodwork several times but were the better team on the day.”

Willington lost 3-1 at home to league newcomers Sunderland West End, which means they have dropped to 14th in the table.

Manager Ibby Hassan said; “Following a good start and having gone 1-0 up we failed to capitalise and kick on. I feel the nature of our run at the minute sees us conceding sloppy goals and that was the story again. We were simply not good enough all around and we need to take responsibility, myself included. Their third goal was symptomatic of us chasing a game that had we shouldn't have had to have. Friday’s match against Crook is huge.”

Jordan Lee gave Willington a fourth minute lead, but they were soon pegged back.

The bottom three teams all lost. Third bottom Esh Winning narrowly lost 4-3 at Billingham Synthonia. They came from a goal behind on three occasions, but Liam Travers scored the winner for Synners.

Esh Winning manager Tony Boakes said; “More points dropped with individual errors once again. We were the best side on the day, but we didn’t win or get a point. The players need to learn to concentrate for the full game, really spoiling a great team effort. I’m sure we’re not miles away from turning it around.”

Brandon were easily beaten 5-1 at home by Easington to leave them second bottom, and manager Rob Bowron said; “We were dreadful. There is no excuse. I always try to be objective but there is little to analyse. We have to pick ourselves up, keep the ball better, work harder and stick together. It’s a tough introduction to the Northern League for some players. But confidence remains with the players and we just have to be better. They know that.”

Jordan Lee scored Brandon’s goal, but it was a mere consolation as they were 5-0 down at the time.

Bottom club Durham City went down 6-0 at Birtley, for whom Kelvin Thear scored a hat trick.

Durham manager Andy Inness said; “It was another difficult game but I told the lads afterwards we need to stick together and believe in the process. We'll get things moving as again there was bit of play that was good and obviously there are bits we need to correct.”