Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley said that his side’s performance against Jarrow Roofing on Tuesday night was 100 per cent better than their losing display at Stokesley last Saturday.

Ainsley blasted several players after the defeat last Saturday, but he was in a much better mood after a 4-1 win that puts them just two points behind leaders Consett.

“The tempo of the game was fantastic. We were a lot brighter, defended better, and much sharper across the pitch.

“We could have scored more goals, but I would have settled for a win before the game.”

Ainsley will now take a look at a DVD of their Vase opponents, Poole Town before their weekend home game with Ashington.

Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers thought the third goal in their 4-1 win against Tow Law at Heritage Park was crucial.

“We got the third goal nice and early in the second half, and that took the pressure off us,” he said. “We weren’t brilliant in the last 20 minutes, but by then the game was won.

“I was worried when we missed the penalty after 20 minutes. I thought it was going to be one of those nights when the keeper was going to have a worldy.”

Midfielder Steve Salvin could return on Saturday for the home game with Whitley Bay. Bishops are now seventh off bottom, having overtaken Jarrow Roofing and Billingham Synthonia with the win.

Tow Law boss Ian Davison said: “We worked very hard, but we’re not experienced enough in certain areas. Bishops didn’t have to work very hard to score their goals.”

Esh Winning slipped deeper into relegation trouble with a 5-1 home defeat by Whitley Bay, to leave them six points adrift of safety, with 15 games left.

Manager Peter Mulcaster said: “5-1 didn’t do us justice, because I thought we played some good football at times.

“But Whitley Bay’s quality was a telling factor, two of their goals were superb.” Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said that his team adapated to the conditions well. "Another good performance from Whitley, almost matched by a spirited display from Esh, they made it difficult for us. "The pitch didn’t suit our style of play, heavy and sponge like (if that’s possible) but we were fairly clinical in front of goal which in truth was the difference."

Dunston striker Andy Bulford has now scored 12 league goals after scoring a hat trick in the 5-1 win at Ryton, and manager Billy Irwin said: “Andy is on fire at the moment, and long may it continue.”

North Shields manager Anthony Woodhouse admitted that his side was fortunate to collect all three points against Team Northumbria, and cement their hold on third place in the Second Division promotion race. "We were lucky to win," he said. "We played some of the best football I have seen since I took over in the first 20 minutes, but then allowed Team North to get back into the game. A draw would have been a fair result. We scored a great goal starting from our centre half Femi Akinbolu and it was brilliantly finished off by James Luccock. "

Guisborough edged closer to leaders Newton Aycliffe with a 5-2 home win over Crook. Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: "It was a very pleasing result in a match that on paper looked to be a tough one. I've been out to watch Crook a couple of times over the last month and had a good idea what to expect. The first half looked comfortable apart from a five to ten minute period leading up to half which saw Crook equalize. "The second half saw us step things up, we created chances throughout the half and managed to find back of the net on four occasions to secure comfortable win. It was much needed three points to keep us in the promotion race."

Sunderland RCA are now at home to the winners of tonight’s tie between Stokesley and Billingham Synthonia after knocking holders South Shields out of the League Cup. Manager Neil Hixon said: “We scored two good goals by Harrison Davies and Michael Dalton to settle a poor game.”

The draw for the fourth round draw of the Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup is: Consett or West Allotment v Newcastle Benfield or Northallerton, Shildon or Marske v Dunston or Ryton, Sunderland RCA v Stokesley or Billingham Synthonia, Bedlington or West Auckland v Spennymoor Town or Newton Aycliffe.