The Albany Northern League: Shildon manager Kenny Lindoe told his defence to stop "pressing the self-destruct button" after they were beaten 3-1 by Morpeth on Saturday.

Shildon have now lost two home games inside a week to leave them in the wrong half of the table after a season of promise last year.

Lindoe said: "We had a good first 20 minutes, but then we pressed the self-destruct button.

"We changed our system, but that's no excuse for giving away two sloppy goals. Morpeth didn't have to do all that much to win, although we could have won the game on the chances we created."

Shildon took the lead with a shot on the turn by Scott Emmerson after ten minutes, but then Paul Beavers was left unmarked to score from a Steve Walker free-kick on 39 minutes. Two minutes later, Shildon keeper John Jackson played the ball straight to Beavers, who lobbed the ball into the net.

Shildon striker Garry Barnes missed a penalty early in the second half after he was brought down, and after Lee Ellison had a shot cleared off the line, Mark Grant scored from a Lee George pass to give Morpeth a 3-1 win.

League leaders Dunston could only draw 0-0 at home to Guisborough, who are now unbeaten in their last six matches.

Dunston had most of the possession in the game, but Guisborough, who were playing their fifth successive away game, defended well with Mark Sunley outstanding.

Ben Thompson and Richie Pitt both missed chances for the home side, while Michael Jameson nearly fired the winner for Guisborough.

Newcastle Benfield are now just three points behind the leaders after they thumped Peterlee 6-0.

Peterlee kept the Saints out until the 27th minute when Shaun Bell scored with a low shot, and he quickly got another from a Lee Ludlow cross. Bell returned the favour for recent signing Ludlow to get the third just after half-time, and after that it was one way traffic. Ludlow scored the fourth from close range, Bell got another from a Lee Errington cross and Eddie Miller added the sixth from a Tony Ross pass.

Peterlee, who have signed defender Darryl Evans from Brandon, have conceded 32 goals in their last six league matches.

Billingham Synthonia are now unbeaten in 17 league and cup matches after they won 1-0 at Brandon. Debutant Paul Campbell scored with a header from Neil Radigan's cross after 42 minutes, but Brandon missed several chances to score, particularly through Craig Coates, who had two headers cleared off the line and also fired straight at Synners keeper John Mohan when he was clean through.

Fourth placed Durham City lost by a single goal at Whitley Bay, who have games in hand on each of the five clubs above them.

Durham had the better of the first half, and missed chances through John Watson, Michael Mackay and Paul Chow.

However, Whitley came more into the game after half-time, and got the winner on 64 minutes when Lee Bell scored from ten yards. Whitley keeper Terry Burke pulled off a good stop from Mackay in stoppage time.

Bedlington also lost ground after being held to a low key 0-0 draw by Esh Winning, their third successive game without a win. Bedlington's Keith Douglas had an early goal disallowed, while Esh's Steve Burns had a shot well saved by Bedlington keeper Phil Robinson.

Billingham Town also scored six without reply against managerless Consett, who are now bottom of the table.

Town led by a single goal at half-time, but they moved up a gear in the second half. David Turner scored from a Jason Ainsley pass to give them the lead, and just after the break Daniel Fox, signed from Hartlepool, got the second from a Lee Ure cross.

David Turner fired into the top corner for the third, Stuart Brightwell and Carl Chillingsworth both tapped in, and Ure cut in from the wing and fired into the bottom corner for the sixth.

Horden beat managerless Ashington 4-3, although they nearly let Ashington draw level at the end.

Andrew Bowes headed Horden into the lead from a Craig Stephens corner after ten minutes, but Ashington levelled when Ross Atkinson netted from a rebound.

Horden regained the lead before half-time with a Stuart Dixon penalty after McKenna was fouled, and they went 3-1 up on 55 minutes when Martin Bowes volleyed in a McKenna cross. Craig Stephens made it 4-1 with a 20 yarder on the hour, but David Carr pulled one back with a header, and Alex Lawson scored another from a rebound.

Ashington are looking for a new manager following the decision of Tony Harrison to quit after nearly three years in charge.

Thornaby moved off the bottom by beating Tow Law 2-1 in their relegation battle.

Lawyers, who haven't won now in six matches, took a half-time lead with a penalty by Carl Beasley after Scott Richards was fouled, but Thornaby levelled with a shot from the edge of the box from Craig Skelton, who then scored the winner for Thornaby from ten yards on the hour.

West Auckland came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Jarrow Roofing. The visitors took the lead when Darryl Leach scored from a right wing cross after 11 minutes, then Justin Perry scored the second from a Leach free-kick.

West pulled a goal back with a shot by Chris Gillespie, his second goal of the season, and they equalised when Mattie Moffat beat two men and set up youngster Darryl Hall. Moffat missed a chance for the winner, and also had a penalty appeal turned down.

In the second division, leaders Prudhoe maintained their nine point gap by winning 4-0 at third bottom Hebburn. Chris Baxter scored twice in the first 20 minutes, and then Steve Mason and David Reay added further goals.

Washington Nissan are still second after a 2-0 home win over North Shields.

Neil Moan headed them in front from a corner, and Gavin Cogdon ran through to score his 23rd league goal of the season in the second half.

Newcastle Blue Star scored early in the game against Evenwood through David McMahon, and that was enough for them to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches. Evenwood have now dropped to fourth bottom.

West Allotment dropped a place after coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Penrith. Phil Thornton and Andrew Douglas seemed to have put Penrith in control, but Celtic scored twice in the last 15 minutes through Paul Wilary and Ben Dawson.

Northallerton are level with West Allotment on points after they thumped Kennek Ryhope CA 4-0, all of their goals coming in the last 20 minutes. Steve Cochrane scored from 25 yards, and then David Onions (two) and Anthony Roberts added further goals.

Crook dropped a place to eighth after they lost 2-0 at Norton. Crook's David Bayles missed a penalty in the first-half when they also missed several chances, and then after the break Chris Fawcett and Stephen Roberts scored for the home side. Crook have arranged to play Darlington in a fund-raising friendly on Wednesday night at the Millfield, kick off 7pm.

Washington are still in touch with the leading pack after they beat Alnwick 2-0, with goals from Scott Oliver and Chris Creamer.

Marske won for only the second time in ten games with a 3-2 victory at Seaham Red Star, Michael Wilson clinching the points in the last minute.

Marske were ahead twice with goals by Wilson and Greg Booth, but they were cancelled out by Michael Kinnair's own goal and Andy Howarth.

Willington's woes continued as they were beaten 5-0 at Whickham, for whom Peter Craddock (two) Ian Robson (two) and Graham Jackson scored.

South Shields and Easington drew 1-1 at Filtrona Park. Shields took the lead through a Jimmy Farrell lob after 64 minutes, but Martin Barwick levelled in the last minute.