The Albany League: WEST Auckland leaped out of the bottom three and increased Tow Law's problems with a 5-0 win on Saturday.

The victory was West's first in seven games, but the setback was the last thing Tow Law wanted after their pitch problems.

West manager Alan Shoulder said: "It was a big win for us because it lifted us out of the relegation zone.

"We need to kick on now and get well established in the middle of the table."

West took the lead when Andy Cole scored from just inside the area, then recent signing Mattie Moffat scored from close range.

Cole scored another from 12 yards, and then another new signing, Chris Gillespie, headed the fourth in the second half. Moffat ran through and scored the fifth near the end.

Durham City are the new leaders after they won 3-1 at Guisborough.

The home side took the lead when Lee Alexander scored from a Graeme Baverstock pass, but youngster Michael Mackay scored the equaliser with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area.

Stephen Stewart raced down the left and crossed for Mackay to put City in front after half time, then Stewart opened the defence for Robbie Herbert to fire into the bottom corner.

Benfield Saints dropped to second after they could only draw 1-1 at Morpeth. Lee Errington gave them an early lead when he scored from a rebound, but Morpeth's Ben Keenan equalised with a low shot after 73 minutes.

Bedlington are now third following a 1-0 away win at Peterlee. The only goal came after 21 minutes when Anthony Shandran picked up a long clearance from keeper Gareth Powell and fired past Peterlee keeper Paul Newton. Leon Scott almost equalised for Peterlee in the second half.

Brandon are still bottom despite a much improved performance at Chester-le-Street, where they lost 1-0, Mark Errington scoring the winner from 25 yards after 70 minutes. Chester are now unbeaten in their last six league games and are in fifth place.

Whitley Bay are now sixth after they beat Thornaby 2-1. Adam Johnston cut in from the right wing to fire Whitley ahead after 43 minutes, his sixth league goal of the season, and 18 seconds after half time they scored their second when Steve Leadbitter converted a cross from Lee Kerr. Thornaby pulled a goal back in the last minute through Dave Goodchild.

Jarrow Roofing are fourth bottom after they were beaten 3-0 at home by Billingham Synthonia.

Synners scored their goals inside 17 first half minutes.

They took the lead when Neil Radigan crossed for Andrew Fletcher to head home, and then Tony Wood made it two from the edge of the box. Craig Lake then crossed for Fletcher to head another.

Prudhoe are now top of the Second Division after they thumped previously unbeaten Norton 6-0. Steve Mason scored a hat-trick, with Kevin Shoulder (two) and Daniel Reay scoring the others.

West Allotment are second, after they held on to a 3-2 home win over Whickham after being 2-1 down at one stage.

Chris Holmes and then Ian Robson twice put Whickham into the lead, but an own goal, Ian Grainger and David Potts scored for Allotment.

Crook made it six winning games at the start of the season for the first time in 54 years with a 1-0 away win at Kennek Ryhope CA. Lee Ellison scored their goal.

Washington Nissan cruised to a 4-0 win at Seaham Red Star, with former Hartlepool midfielder Jon Cullen scoring one of the goals. Gavin Cogdon (two) and Jimmy Farrell scored the others. Cogdon scored for the fifth successive game.

Newcastle Blue Star are third after a 2-0 home win over South Shields, who drop to fourth bottom. Brothers Michael and Mark Fenwick scored the goals.

Two clubs also in promotion contention, Washington and Northallerton, drew 1-1. Anthony Roberts put Northallerton into the lead, but Tony Hanson equalised.

Marske are now in the top half of the table after a 4-0 away win at Easington, Chris Keegan (two), Chris Reeve and Michael Wilson scoring the goals..

North Shields are still without a league win after drawing 2-2 with Alnwick. Andy Bowman scored twice to put Shields 2-0 up, but Ashley Mallaburn and Anthony Robson replied for Alnwick.

Willington are now bottom of the table after they lost 3-0 at home to Evenwood, for whom Paul Bailes (two) and Gareth McMahon scored.

Hebburn moved up a place to second bottom after they picked up a useful point in a goalless draw with Penrith.