Tow Law gave themselves some breathing space near the bottom of the First Division when they came from behind to beat Jarrow Roofing 4-2 at Ironworks Road on Saturday.

Lawyers trailed 2-1 at half time, but then showed their fighting spirit under caretaker bosses Brian Fowler and Geoff Young to score three times in the second half and lift themselves eight points above the relegation zone.

Young said: "We told the lads before the game that we are in deep relegation trouble, and we need to start winning matches.

"They responded really well, and lots of things came together. They battled really hard all the way through the game.

"I must admit, it's the best feeling I've ever had in 16 years of Northern League football. I got so carried away when we scored the fourth, I was told off by the linesman for celebrating with the lads in the centre circle!"

It was Tow Law's first win in eight matches, but they fell behind early on when Adam Johnston fired Roofing into the lead.

But with Andy McKenna back in the team on his return to the club, they levelled after 31 minutes when substitute Mark Turner, on for the injured David Taylor, scored with a header. Roofing regained the lead with another strike from Johnston, but in the second half Lawyers rolled their sleeves up.

Carl Beasley levelled from close range, then Mark Turner headed another. And late in the game, youngster Danny Craggs cracked in the fourth.

Title chasing Durham City slipped up, losing 1-0 at Billingham Synthonia, to leave them one point behind leaders Dunston having played three games more.

There weren't many chances in the first half, but Synners stepped up the pressure in the second half, and scored the only goal of the game after 70 minutes when Ian Williams crossed for Andy Fletcher to head against the post, only for David Wells to score from the rebound. It was his 20th league goal of the season.

Durham manager Billy Cruddas said: "If I can get some of our injured players back, we can win our last six matches and keep the pressure on Dunston."

Guisborough are now looking safe after they beat Chester-le-Street 2-0 in their basement encounter at the King George.

Greg Booth gave them a valuable early lead when he headed in a Darren Sankey corner, and they remained in control until the closing stages when Mark Sunley headed another.

Guisborough are now in 15th place, ten points above the relegation zone.

Whitley Bay won at home in the league for the first time under new manager Ian Chandler with a 2-1 home win over Esh Winning.

Both teams had chances in the first half, but Whitley took the lead after 65 minutes when Ryan Kerr was fouled by Marc Irwin, and David McMahon scored from the spot.

McMahon was involved in the second goal, crossing for Kerr to volley home.

Esh pulled a goal back late in the game when Paul Brown volleyed home from the edge of the box.

Whitley Bay have withdrawn their application for the UniBond League.

Peterlee dropped a place to seventh even though they drew 1-1 at Brandon.

Brandon had an early goal disallowed for offside, even though the ball was put into his own net by Peterlee defender Calvin Foley.

Both keepers were busy in the first half, Brandon's Barry Poskitt and Peterlee's Paul Newton both making good saves, but Peterlee took the lead after 63 minutes when Brandon defender Chris Neil turned an Anthony Green cross into his own net.

But Brandon were deservedly level a few minutes later when their new signing, Scott Bell from Benfield Saints, turned in a cross from another recent signing, Dale Crawford.

Horden drew 1-1 with West Auckland. West Auckland took the lead through Neil Johnson in the first half when they had wind advantage, and after the break Stuart Jewson equalised.

All but two of the games in the Second Division were postponed because of the weather.

However, the most significant result was at Shotton, who lost 3-0 at home to Whickham to push them closer to relegation. Ian Robson, Tommy Scott and Kevin Hay scored for Whickham

Shotton are ten points from safety, with just five games remaining.

Kennek Ryhope CA beat Norton 2-1 for their fifth successive victory.

They took the lead after 48 minutes through Jonny Wightman's 21st league goal of the season, and went further ahead when Wightman set up Gary Errington to score.

But then they relaxed and let Norton back into the game, and the visitors scored through Anthony Barkas two minutes from the end.