Peterlee's unbeaten record was destroyed when they were thumped 5-1 at Chester-le-Street.

Andy Toman's side have enjoyed a good start to the season, but were comfortably beaten by Chester, who scored five goals in a game for the second time this season.

Toman, who led Peterlee to seventh place last season, said: "I think it's been coming in recent games, because we've been giving too many chances away."

Simon Dodsworth gave Peterlee the lead from 25 yards, but Chester hit back when Gary Shields crossed for Phil Bell to score and Willie Moat set up Bell to fire the second for a half-time lead.

Chester took control when Stephen Richardson crossed for Gary Shields to score with a diving header, then Bell completed his hat-trick when he turned a shot by Paul Richardson past the keeper.

Victory was complete when Richardson latched on to a through ball and fired home.

Bell is the league's leading scorer with nine goals.

League leaders Benfield Saints were held to a goalless draw at Bedlington, the first time they have failed to score in the league this season.

Benfield's Stephen Young just failed to add to his ten goals this season with a shot in the first-half, while John Milner went close for Bedlington.

Durham City are now second in the table after they beat Tow Law 2-0.

Tow Law keeper Andrew Spence pulled off several good saves before Durham broke the deadlock after 58 minutes when Paul Chow scored in a goalmouth scramble, and in the closing stages Chow headed a second.

Consett moved up three places thanks to a 2-1 home win over Jarrow Roofing.

The visitors led after 13 minutes when Justin Perry scored for the fifth successive league game, but after Chris Tate hit the bar for Consett, they equalised when Tate set up Lee Suddes.

Before the break, Tate won the ball in the box and set up Chris Douglas for the winner.

Morpeth moved into sixth place with a 2-1 home win over Guisborough, who lost away for the first time this season. Guisborough's Simon Kasonali missed an early penalty, before all the goals came late in the game.

Michael Dickinson scored from a Mark Fenwick pass after 75 minutes, then he added another with a 30 yarder. Adam McMahon pulled a goal back in the last minute.

The surprise result in the Second Division was Easington's 3-1 victory over Penrith, their first win of the season.

John Symons (2) and Chris Homer were their scorers, with Ryan Errington earlier equalising for Penrith.

Newcastle Blue Star lost the leadership and their 100 per cent record when they were beaten 4-1 at Prudhoe.

Prudhoe took the lead after just 37 seconds from a Steve Mason penalty, and even though Michael Dixon equalised, former Willington player Kevin Shoulder (2) and Mason again put the game beyond reach.

Washington are the new leaders after a Paul Robinson penalty gave them a 1-0 home win over South Shields.

Washington Nissan beat Northallerton 2-0, Gavin Cogdon scoring twice to take his league tally for the season to six.

Norton are unbeaten in four after a 4-0 win at Hebburn, who are now third bottom.

Tony Abel (2), Chris Fawcett and Trevor Tierney were their scorers.

Evenwood moved off the bottom with a 1-0 away win, their first of the season, at North Shields, who replace them at the bottom. Michael Searby scored the goal. Newcomers Shields are still without a point.

Marske United won for the second time in three games when they triumphed 2-1 at Alnwick. Anthony Williams put Marske ahead, and even though Ashley Mallaburn equalised, Chris Reeve scored the winner.

Kennek Ryhope CA also won for the first time this season when they defeated West Allotment 2-1.

Jonny Wightman put Ryhope into the lead, and even though David Potts levelled, Phil Thompson got the winner.