Peterlee's new boss Paul Hinton praised the response of the players after the crisis-hit club beat Chester-le-Street 2-1 on Saturday.

The club's future is in doubt because of a cash shortage, but the team rallied to the cause to lift themselves out of the drop zone.

Hinton, put in charge in midweek until at least the end of the season, said: "The players responded very well. There was a real buzz in the dressing room before the game, and for the first time in several weeks, there were 18 players to choose from.

"They gave everything during the game, and worked hard, especially when we were down to ten men. Hopefully now we can stay out of trouble."

Striker Hinton named himself in the team, but injury forced him off after 15 minutes.

Peterlee took the lead after 25 minutes when Leon Scott played a one-two with Stephen Winspear and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, then assistant manager Lee Bytheway scored from a free kick on the hour.

Peterlee then had new signing Steve Ritchie dismissed, but they held on after Chester pulled a goal back with a twice-taken penalty by Willie Moat.

Brandon ran riot against West Auckland, winning 6-0 with recent signing David Foley and Craig Coates scoring hat-tricks.

Foley, signed from Hartlepool, put Brandon into the lead after just two minutes from a Craig Coates pass, and he got the second on 40 minutes from a Sean Gregory through ball. Foley then created the third for Coates, crossing from the right for him to score with a shot on the turn.

After the break, Foley provided the pass for Coates to score again, and then Coates completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Foley was fouled.

And after 75 minutes, Coates provided the pass for Foley to complete his treble.

But despite the win, Brandon are still just three points off the bottom because of results around them.

Tow Law also had an excellent result, beating Durham 3-0 at Ironworks Road to lift them off the bottom of the table.

They took the lead when Lee Innes set up Nicky Martin, and he scored with a shot into the bottom corner of the net. It was 2-0 just after half time when Andy Thompson dribbled past two men on a run from the halfway line and then beat Durham keeper Kevin Wolfe. Lee Innes added another when he raced through and rounded Wolfe.

Thornaby collected three valuable points in their relegation fight by winning 2-1 in a stormy finish at Horden.

Horden had two penalties turned down before they took the lead with a shot by Chris Pearson, but then it all went wrong for them in the last 15 minutes.

Top scorer Kevin Devine was dismissed by the referee for violent conduct following a clash with Thornaby's Simon Shaw, then in stoppage time, Thornaby levelled through Jamie Clarke. In the dying seconds they were awarded a penalty that former Darlington full back Shaw converted. Thornaby are now unbeaten in nine league matches.

Jarrow Roofing and Consett drew 1-1 in their relegation battle.

Consett took the lead when Mark Turner helped in a shot from Jeff Sugden, but they couldn't add to their lead.

Roofing had a much better second half, and after Ged Quinn and Craig Nelson hit the post, Andy Davies headed home.

Guisborough were the only club in the bottom seven to lose, and they are now bottom of the table after going down 2-0 at home to Morpeth.

Morpeth were the better side, and took the lead with a 40 yarder from Gareth Reece midway through the first half. They made sure of the points with an overhead kick from Chris Phillipson near the end.

Guisborough's misery could be increased soon as they are facing a three point deduction for allegedly fielding a suspended player.

Three players were sent off in the closing minutes of the goalless game between Shildon and Billingham Town. Town's Danny Fox was shown his second yellow card, and then Scott Emmerson and David Turner followed a few minutes following a flare up.

Shildon had the better chances to win the game when both sides had 11, with Lee Ellison and Garry Barnes both going close.

Defending champions Dunston are now unbeaten in 26 league games after a 2-0 away win at Whitley Bay.

They took the lead after just nine minutes when Graeme Armstrong headed in a right wing cross from Dave Southern, who also went close twice.

Whitley had a couple of chances to equalise in the second half, but Armstrong finished them off with a second goal from clsoe range in the dying minutes.

Benfield Saints are second after they came from behind to win 2-1 at Esh Winning, scoring twice in the last 15 minutes.

Esh led when Andy Cuthbertson scored from the edge of the box, but the game turned against them when Gareth McKenna was dismissed. Saints equalised when Lee Ludlow scored from a long throw by Adam Scope after 77 minutes. Stephen Young headed the winner, his 22nd league of the season, from a cross by Scope.

Ashington striker Alan Hogg scored a hat-trick for his side against Bedlington in their local derby, but still finished on the losing side in an eight-goal thriller.

John Milner gave Bedlington the lead from the spot after he was brought down, but Ashington levelled with another penalty, this time Alan Hogg scoring after Paul Hogg was fouled. Alan Hogg gave Ashington a half-time lead direct from a free kick.

But Bedlington came out fighting in the second half. Steve Preen levelled from a Tony Chapman through ball, then Milner finished off a flowing move to put them in front. Jimmy Harmison made it 4-2 from a rebound after Tony Chapman's free-kick was blocked, but Ashington pulled one back when Alan Hogg fired in from 25 yards.

But Ashington's revival was ended when Preen fired home with just a few minutes left to make it 5-3.

In the second division, West Allotment thumped fellow promotion contenders Prudhoe 7-2. Celtic got off to a great start when Michael Chilton scored in the first minute, and even though Prudhoe levelled through Steve Mason, Celtic powered into a 6-1 lead with further goals from Ben Dawson, Mark Rasmussen, Dean Douglas, Michael Potts and Chilton. Though Simon Reay pulled one back, Dawson completed the rout.

Newcastle Blue Star stay three points clear at the top after beating Whickham 2-0, with goals from Andy Carr and David McMahon. Star have signed midfielder Stuart Morris from Benfield Saints.

Washington Nissan are still second after coming from behind to win their local derby at Washington by 2-1, Paul Moss getting the winner in the last minute. Mark Covell scored in the first half for Washington, but Nissan levelled just after half-time with a goal by sub Glen Moan.

Northallerton stay third thanks to a 2-0 win at Alnwick, who finished with ten men. Craig Skelton scored both for Northallerton, while Steve Cochrane also missed a penalty. James Swordy also missed from the spot for Alnwick.

Crook Town kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-0 win at Hebburn, Mark Ross and David Snow scoring.

Norton won their fourth successive league game, beating Kennek Ryhope CA 2-0, with second half goals from Paul Rowntree and David Able.

North Shields won their third successive game, beating Marske United 2-1, Paul Gibbs scoring the winner in the last minute. Earlier, Marske's Mark Ward cancelled out David Thompson's goal.

Seaham Red Star and South Shields drew 2-2. Sam Vernalls and David Johnson scored for Seaham, with Jimmy Farrell and Lee O'Donovan replying for Shields.

Second-bottom Easington are now three points behind Hebburn after they drew 1-1 with Evenwood. Guy Whatmore scored early on for Easington, but Chris Russ equalised for Evenwood to give Brian Maitland his first point as manager.

Willington lost for the second time in a week to Penrith, this time by 2-0. Steve Rooke and Willie Paul scored for Penrith.