Stokesley manager Ted Watts was pleased with the way his team’s response when they drew 0-0 with Billingham Synthonia last night.

Stokesley were hammered 6-0 at Bedlington last Saturday, and Watts said: “The lads showed a bit of character after conceding five goals in the second half last Saturday.

“We had a few chances against Synners, and I thought we deserved to win.

“If we can collect a point every game, then we’ll stay up.”

Stokesley are still third bottom, but they have three games in hand on West Allotment, who are three points ahead of them.

Synners’ assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “The quality of our passing and movement wasn’t as good as it has been recently. But a draw suits us more than them.”

Synners are five points and three places ahead of Stokesley, and have played two games more.

In the second division, Northallerton climbed to fourth bottom with a 3-0 home win over Crook Town.

“We knocked the stuffing out of them with two goals in the first six minutes,” said manager Mark Fanning. “We should have had more goals, but it was the three points that mattered.”