Bishop Auckland striker Andrew Johnson rediscovered his form with a vengeance with four as Bishops thumped Billingham Town 5-0 at Heritage Park on Saturday.

Johnson hadn’t scored the 3-0 home win over Tow Law before Christmas, but Town couldn’t get to grips with him in the second half. Manager Colin Myers said: “I thought we controlled the game for the full ninety minutes. Andy’s last goal was the best, there were 21 passes in the move.”

Johnson had a hand in Bishops’ other and opening goal after 12 minutes when he crossed for Dan Hawkins to sidefoot home, then Hawkins returned the favour and set him up for the second just on half time.

Town’s Chris Dunwell was dismissed for a foul on Johnson when the striker was clean through just after half time, and Johnson despatched the penalty. He quickly fired his hat trick, and finished off the move of the match for the fifth in the last minute.

It was Bishops’ third clean sheet in a row, the first time they have done so for 19 years.

Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett said: “Chris getting sent off in the first minute of second half ended the game as a contest. We were well in the game until that point. Another disappointing day but we will pick ourselves up for Tuesday night against Consett.”

West Auckland stay top of the table after they beat third bottom Jarrow Roofing 4-2 at Darlington Road.

Roofing stunned West by taking the lead after just minutes with a good finish by Calvin McMahon, but Stephen Brown quickly equalised with a low shot. Micky Rae fired them into the lead, with Mattie Moffat adding his 18th goal of the season before half time. McMahon pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, but then Moffat scored another from a John Campbell assist.

West Auckland manager Peter Dixon said: “We were happy to get three points against a team that is battling for their lives.”

Whitley Bay, who face West Auckland over the next two Saturdays were off form, but they still beat Penrith 2-1 at Hillheads to stretch their unbeaten run to twelve games in league and Vase.

Rob Bowman stunned Whitley by heading Penrith into the lead midway through the first half, but Whitley levelled five minutes after half time when Robbie Dale dribbled into the area and fired into the roof of the net.

Penrith looked as if they would hold on for a draw, until stoppage time when Paul Chow forced the ball over the line from a long throw.

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: “It was a frustrating display today, four or five below par. But Penrith worked hard and gave us nothing, wasted some good chances but we’re delighted with three points.”

Spennymoor ended Marske’s nine game unbeaten run in the league by 2-0 at the Brewery Field and are well in touch with the top three.

Moors scored twice inside the first eleven minutes to put them well in control. Bobby Moore scored from a Keith Graydon corner on 6 minutes, and five minutes later Gavin Cogdon was fouled in the box and Sonny Andrews scored from the spot.

Marske manager Paul Burton said: “A poor start cost us. We were two down after 10 minutes so it was an uphill task after that. Second half did ok without creating any real chances. Overall a fair result they are a very good side who work hard for each other, still think they will win the league.”

Sunderland RCA’s home form let them down again, as they allowed a two goal lead at home to Consett to slip and had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The RCA were two goals up inside the first 20 minutes. Andy Jennings set up Joe Walton to score from a few yards, and then Glen Robson converted a penalty following a foul on Jennings.

But Consett hit back with a strike by Dale Burrell, and before half time Anthony Lund equalised with a low shot. Both sides missed good chances in the second half, with Jennings going close for the RCA, and Michael Mackay for Consett.

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said; “I was pleased with the way we came back into the game after going two goals down.”

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon said: “We had enough chances to win two games, I’m very disappointed.”

Shildon lost 2-1 at Bedlington. Shildon had the better of the first half, but went behind when keeper Keith Finch couldn’t hold a free kick, and Steve Stewart scored from the loose ball.

The match turned on two penalty incidents. Shildon claimed that Billy Greulich-Smith was fouled in the Bedlington area but the ref turned down their appeals, and moments later Craig Hubbard was fouled in the Shildon box, and Anthony Shandran converted the penalty. Nicky Kane pulled a goal back for Shildon.

Shildon are at Gateshead tonight in the Durham Challenge Cup quarter final.

Shildon manager Gary Forrest said: “Do players have to go to ground to win penalties when they’re fouled? Referees sometimes make it harder for themselves.”

Newton Aycliffe were satisfied with a 1-1 draw against an in-form Ashington at Moore Lane.

There was plenty of good football in the game before Ashington took the lead when a shot by Mark O’Dea took a deflection off Aycliffe defender Darren Craddock and beat keeper Scott Pocklington.

But Aycliffe equalised when veteran Danny Mellanby ran through, beat a defender and fired past Ashington keeper Karl Dryden.

In the second half , Pocklington made two good stops, and in the last minute, Aycliffe’s Stuart Owen headed a good opportunity for the winner over the bar.

Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver said: “It was a fully deserved point, and I couldn’t have asked for more from the players. They dug in – I’m very proud of them.”

Norton suffered a poor home defeat by 3-0 against South Shields, all of whose goals were scored by Peter Kane.

He scored his first after 19 minutes with a powerful shot from 12 yards, and scored his second on 53 minutes from a David Colvin pass. He completed his hat trick five minutes later when he dribbled through the Norton defence on the end of a Chris Feasey pass and beat stand-in keeper Paul Grainger.