Newton Aycliffe dropped into the bottom five of the table after they lost 4-2 at home to North Shields.

Aycliffe got off to a great start on 8 minutes with a powerful shot by Tom Gavin from the edge of the box, but Paul Robinson fired the equaliser on 26 minutes. Shields took command in the second half and scored through Gary Day, Robinson and Craig Spooner, before Mattie Pennal scored a late consolation.

Newton Aycliffe manager Deano Browne said; “We huffed and puffed but were beat off a better team on the day. The lads worked their socks off, but we got found wanting.”

Consett are now three points clear at the top of the table after beating Stockton Town 4-3 at Belle View.

Whitley Bay and Newcastle Benfield drew 3-3 in the other game to be played. Tom Wade has been appointed the new manager of Benfield.

In the second division, Northallerton recovered from two bad defeats by thumping Easington 6-2 at Ainderby Road.

Nicky Martin and Richie Walker both scored two apiece, with Aaron Ramsbottom and Kieran McWaters scoring the others. Town are now up to seventh in the table.

Tow Law moved up a place to fifth bottom after they won 2-1 at Durham City. Lewis Martin and Kai Hewitson put Tow Law 2-0 up before Jamie Hayman pulled a goal back.

Durham manager Wayne Gredziak said; “Tow Law dominated the first 30 minutes however after that I thought we controlled the rest of the game and had more possession and chances. We huffed and puffed but to no avail.”

Tow Law manager Steve Murray said; “It was a good win, but we missed too many chances.”

Crook Town lost by a single goal at West Allotment, and manager Jamie Tunstall said; “I'm disappointed not to come away with something. We weren't good enough and made too many wrong decisions at crucial moments. I didn't think there was much between the two sides, so it was frustrating conceding in the last ten minutes as whilst we didn't play well I thought a draw would have been a fair result.”

In the other games, Billingham Synthonia beat Washington by the only goal of the game, while Heaton Stannington beat Redcar Athletic 3-1, their sixth straight league win. Jarrow beat Ryton and Crawcrook 2-1.

On Friday night, Chester-le-Street went joint top after winning 2-1 at Birtley, while Willington had a good 5-0 away win at Esh Winning.