Bishop Auckland gained three valuable points in their fight against relegation with a 4-1 home win over Tow Law at Heritage Park tonight.

Tow Law keeper Stephen Robinson saved a 20th minute penalty by Chris Bell – Bishops’ third successive penalty miss – but Bishops took the lead five minutes later, from another penalty by Wayne Gredziak.

They went 2-0 up on 43 minutes when the ball rebounded off the bar from a free kick, and Steven Turnbull headed the ball in. It was 3-0 on the hour when Gredziak broke down the right and pulled the ball back into the middle where Lawyers’ defender Michael Robson turned the ball into his own net. Chris Lawson bundled a Phil Brumwell corner in for the fourth, before Thomas Watkinson pulled one back from long range for Tow Law.

Bishops have climbed above Jarrow Roofing and Billingham Synthonia to seventh off bottom. Bishops striker Adam Emson could be on his way to Jarrow Roofing today.

Spennymoor moved closer to leaders Consett by beating Jarrow Roofing 4-1 at the Brewery Field. Micky Rae fired in off the post from a Gavin Cogdon cross to put Moors into the lead , then Craig Ruddy pounced on a poor headed back pass and set up Rae for the second.

Michael Coghlan pulled one back on 38 minutes, but on 75 minutes Leon Ryan headed on a corner for Cogdon to turn in. Steven Richardson scored the fourth from a Craig Ruddy corner.

Moors are now two points behind leaders Consett on the same games.

Andy Bulford scored a hat trick for Dunston in their comfortable 5-1 win at bottom club Ryton, although at one point Rytonn were level at 1-1. Jonny Godmsark set up two for Andy Johnson and Phil Bell to put Ashington 2-0 up against Billingham Town, and after Stephen Roberts pulled a goal back, Godsmark scored the third near the end to seal a 3-1 win.. Whitley Bay also had an easy 5-1 win at Esh Winning.

In the second division, a second half burst helped Guisborough to a 5-2 home win over Crook Town, while a 5th minute goal by James Luccock kept North Shields in third with a win over Team Northumbria. Shields are now nine points ahead of fourth placed Marske and Whickham, who beat Chester-le-Street 2-0 with first half goals by Tony Thirkell and Scott Swanston..

League Cup holders South Shields were knocked out by Sunderland RCA in their local derby by 2-1. The RCA took the lead through Michael Dalton's 20 yarder after 15 minutes, but Shields levelled with a header by Darryl Hall just before half time. However, Harrison Davies cracked the winner from 25 yards with just four minutes left.