Consett returned to the second division after just one season in the top flight when they lost at home to Shildon on Saturday - and West Auckland and Brandon both breathed a sigh of relief.

Consett's defeat means they will join Peterlee and Guisborough in the second division next season, although they had a fighting chance of avoiding the drop when they led Shildon 1-0 at Belle Vue.

Manager Jon King said: "We've never been consistent all season. "We've never won two games in a row. We started the game off well, but as soon as Shildon equalised, the game levelled out."

Consett started the game well and took the lead inside three minutes when Darren Grimes scored from a long ball by Robbie Blemings, but Shildon quickly equalised when Steve Huggins was brought down, and Lee Ellison scored from the spot. Shildon defender Charlie Walton nearly put through his own goal, and Consett forced several corners, but Shildon won the game when Garry Barnes raced clear and beat James Platten ten minutes after half-time.

Brandon's 2-2 draw at Esh Winning turned out to be academic because of Consett's defeat, although the tension increased when news of Consett's early goal filtered through. Brandon took the lead after ten minutes when Craig Coates was brought down inside the box and he scored from the penalty spot, but Esh levelled when Aaron Robertson scored from a pass by Andy Cuthbertson.

Esh were then reduced to ten men when Gareth McKenna was dismissed, but still took the lead when Steve Burns scored from another Cuthbertson pass. Brandon got the equaliser when Coates fired the second from a David Fort corner with just eight minutes left.

Esh Winning manager Barry Fleming quit after the game following six years at the club. "I feel that I've taken the club as far as I can on a shoestring budget," he said.

"The club and I have parted on good terms, there is no animosity."

Fleming guided the club to its first ever promotion from the second division three years ago, and established Esh as a mid-table side ever since.

Peterlee are also down after they were thumped 5-1 at Horden.

The home side took the lead when Luke Allen scored with a header. That was quickly followed by Darren Atkinson getting the second in a goalmouth scramble. James Huntley got the third from close range just before half-time. Early in the second-half Kevine Devine scored the fourth from a Chris I'Anson pass.

Devine completed the scoring near the end for his 29th goal of the season.

Washington Nissan are promoted to the first division for the first time after they won their promotion clash at Northallerton 3-0. They took the lead when Gavin Cogdon sidefooted home from the edge of the area. David Tait got the second from a Jon Cullen free-kick on 55 minutes.

Substitute Tony Hanson sparked off the celebrations when he got the third in the last minute. Manager Wilf Constantine, who has now tasted promotion with three different clubs, said: "We kept our nerve well, and maybe that's down to the number of similar games we've had recently."

At the bottom end of the second division, Hebburn are safe after a nailbiting 2-1 away win at Marske United. Jamie Elrington and Craig Armstrong put them 2-0 up, before Callum Morris pulled one back for Marske.

Easington, who were level on points, goals and goal difference with Hebburn before the start of play, took the lead against champions West Allotment, but lost 4-1. Mike Hardy gave Easington an early lead, but Allotment hit back with goals by Chris Chilton (2), David Potts and Ben Dawson before half-time.

Chilton has now scored 50 league goals this season, and unless Nissan's Gavin Cogdon scores nine in Nissan's last game on Tuesday night, will be the league's leading scorer.

Easington are now relegated along with Willington - the league's longest serving members - who lost 3-0 at Alnwick. James Swordy (2) and Richard Kirby scored.

In the other first division matches, Dunston extended their unbeaten league record to 39 matches when they beat Jarrow Roofing 3-0 at Federation Park. They took the lead after six minutes when Stephen Holmes scored from a David Southern free-kick, then Danny Shore scored from 25 yards.

Dunston missed further chances before they got their third near the end when Steve Pickering from close range. Dunston can become the first team to go unbeaten through a league season since Blyth thirty years ago if they avoid defeat against Bedlington next Saturday

Bedlington still have a chance of finishing third after a 3-0 home win over Tow Law. They took the lead when Steve Preen scored from a pass by Mel Harmison, but then were forced to play sub keeper Gareth Powell up front after Michael Cross limped off.

Preen was denied twice by Lawyers keeper Andrew Spence, before John Milner made it 2-0 with a header on 75 minutes. Preen finally scored another with a couple of minutes left.

Benfield Saints missed an opportunity to grab third place for themselves after they were held to a 1-1 draw. Lee Ludlow lobbed the keeper to put Benfield into the lead on 77 minutes, but Morpeth levelled at the end when Ian Nickalls glanced on a free-kick for Ben Keenan to force home.

Thornaby drew 1-1 with Whitley Bay at Teasdale Park. Ben Ryan gave Whitley the lead after 23 minutes when he scored with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area, and they could have had further goals if it wasn't for some good saves by Thornaby keeper Adrian Swan.

But Thornaby levelled in the second-half when Richie Storr beat two defenders and fired past keeper Terry Burke.

In the other second division matches, Newcastle Blue Star failed to get the win to secure runners up spot when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Prudhoe.

Washington Nissan can pip them to it if they win at Evenwood on Tuesday. Seaham Red Star had a good 3-2 win away win at Penrith. The Cumbrians scored first through Michael Reed, but Seaham hit back with goals from Willie Crew, Craig Hubbard and Robert Swan. Andy Douglas scored a late penalty.

Craven Cup finalists Norton won 2-0 at South Shields, John Outhwaite and David Abel scoring their goals in the second-half.

South Shields' failure to turn up at Alnwick in midweek will be discussed at a League Management committee meeting on Tuesday night. Washington Nissan were fined and had three points deducted for failing to play their game at home to Penrith earlier in the season.

* Durham City won't be laying their plastic pitch next season. The suppliers have told Durham that they won't be able to deliver until the autumn, so City will begin the project next summer instead.