Spennymoor have been plunged into further crisis after owner Benny Mottram stormed out near the end of Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Bamber Bridge.

Mottram, who said he was pulling out as chairman and owner last month, had a verbal exchange with a group of fans during the second half of the game, and angrily walked out of the ground.

Manager Graeme Clark said: "The first I knew of any problems was when Benny came up to me in the dugout, said a couple of things, and then walked away."

Mottram was unavailable for comment yesterday.

In the meantime, Moors' play off hopes suffered a blow with this defeat, which ended with defender Michael Gough being shown a red card.

Clark said: "We were ragged. We had a lot of possession, but we didn't really hurt Bamber bridge. "Micky has apologised for his red card - it's something he must learn from."

Bamber took the lead when Peter Wright outran the home defence to score after 41 minutes, and then the same player caught Moors twice more in the closing minutes, with a solo effort and then a penalty.

Meanwhile, Spennymoor supporters are holding a meeting in the Penny Gill pub in Spennymoor Town Centre on Thursday night, beginning at 7.30pm.

At the bottom, Bishop Auckland, who were without a game, are now nine points adrift of safety after fifth bottom Frickley drew 1-1 at Matlock. Gateshead, who are fourth bottom, lost 4-2 at Marine, after being 4-0 down at one point.

Second bottom Blyth lost 2-1 at Prescot Cables, even though Kevin Shoulder equalised for them on the half hour mark. Whitby suffered a blow to their promotion hopes when they were thumped 5-1 at Burscough, Steve Johnson equalising for them at one point.