A first-half penalty at Washington moved Dunston to within two points of the top of the table, as some of their title rivals faltered on Saturday.

Dunston pushed third-bottom Washington closer to the second division with a Ben Thompson penalty in the first half, and assistant manager Perry Briggs said: "We didn't play our best, but, considering what's at stake, the main thing was that we got the points.

"Winning games is all that matters now. Maybe we could have won by more, but we defended well when we had to."

The penalty award came when Steve Pickering was fouled after 20 minutes, and Thompson scored from the spot. But Washington could count themselves unlucky not to come away with a point, as Tony Hanson hit the woodwork in the second half, and Dunston keeper Stuart Dawson pulled off a couple of good saves from Gary McCartney and Michael Latimer. Steve Holmes had a shot cleared off the Washington line.

Dunston have failed to score in only three league games this season, but they are intensifying their search for a striker.

Bedlington are still in touch in third place after they beat Peterlee 4-2 at Welfare Park.

Bedlington took the lead after 36 minutes when Roy Allen scored from a poor back pass, but Peterlee equalised just before half time when Paul Hinton's shot hit the post and Steve Pitman scored from the rebound.

Bedlington regained the lead after 47 minutes when John Milner nodded the ball down for James lang to fire home, but again Peterlee equalised when a shot by Chris Emms took a deflection and beat Michael Robinson.

But Bedlington piled on the pressure and went 3-2 up after 81 minutes when Robbie Cockburn scored from a Lang cross, and they made sure when Tony Chapman scored from close range.

Jarrow Roofing, in fourth, were held to a 3-3 draw at bottom club Penrith after leading twice.

Penrith took the lead when Marcus Thompson scored with a good shot, but Roofing levelled when Paul Chow set up Gavin Cogden to score from ten yards. Chow headed Roofing into the lead from a free kick just before the break, but then Willie Paul levelled for Penrith.

Chow ran though to score his 21st league goal of the season to make it 3-2, but Barry Irving leveleld again in the dying minutes.

Billingham Town's title chances took a dive when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Esh Winning, after leading 2-0 at half time.

Carl Chillingsworth headed Town into the lead from a cross by David Turner, then Turner scored from a Jason Ainsley free kick to make it 2-0.

Esh hit back in the second half. Tony Healer set up David Anderson to fire past Martin Kearney, and then Craig Marron played a one-two with Gary Messer to equalise.

Tow Law are now in the bottom five after they were beaten 2-0 at home by Guisborough, who are now just a point behind them with two games in hand.

Guisborough struck twice in the first half to set up their victory. Paul Wilson scored from close range after nine minutes, then Stephen Bell fired through a crowd of players for the second before the half hour mark.

And Lawyers were reduced to ten men when Peter Maughan was dismissed, along with Wilson.

Chester-le-Street climbed above Tow Law in the relegation scrap after they won 1-0 at Marske United. The home side enjoyed most of the pressure, but couldn't get past Chester keeper Ian Aitken.

Chester scored the vital goal after 31 minutes when Martin Bowes picked up a long clearance from Aitken and fired home. Bowes almost scored another when he was clean through in the second half.

Marske are now bottom of the table because of Penrith's point against Jarrow Roofing.

West Auckland won a nine-goal thriller against Morpeth to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.

Phil McGuire quickly put West into a two-goal lead with two good finishes, but Colin Lawton pulled one back for Morpeth.

With the game flowing from end to end, McGuire completed his hat-trick before Mark Fenwick pulled one back for Morpeth. But then Jonathan Milroy headed a fourth, and Brian Fairhurst got the fifth from a free kick. Lawton and Fenwick scored late in the game to set up an exciting finish.

Brandon drew 1-1 with Billingham Synthonia, thanks to a last minute goal from Chris Neil.

Synners seemed set for the points when they took the lead after 68 minutes, David Wells dribbling his way through the Synners' defence and firing past Barry Poskitt. But centre half Neil levelled in the last minute from an Andy Cuthbertson pass.

Horden edged closer to safety with a 1-1 draw with Thornaby.

Horden had the better of the chances, but fell behind to a good shot by Richie Storr early in the second half. However, they equalised with a low shot by Kevin Devine.

In the second division, leaders Consett need just nine points for promotion after they won 4-2 at Whickham. They led 4-0 at one stage with two goals apiece from Michael Pitt and Paul Terrell, but Whickham, who had Paul Kavanagh dismissed, hit back with a Jeff Sugden own goal and Tom Scott.

Ashington can catch Consett after they won 5-2 at second-bottom Easington.

Easington led 2-1 early in the second half with goals from Billy Millington and Tim Hood, but striker Alan Hogg, who missed the first three months of the season because of injury, scored a hat-trick to take his tally to 23.

Alex Lawson and Ian Herron scored their other goals.

Benfield Saints kept their grip on third place with a 4-0 home win over Murton, three of their goals coming in six second half minutes. Recent signing Gary Forbes and Stephen Young netted two apiece.

Newcastle Blue Star are still hanging on in fourth after they won 3-1 at Northallerton.

Lee Ludlow's goal was cancelled out by Anthony Roberts, but new signings David Henderson from Brandon and Chris Rue from Bedlington gave Blue Star the points. However, they are still five behind Benfield.

Washington Nissan dropped into fifth after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Alnwick.

David Tait put them in the lead, but James Swordy equalised.

Evenwood are now tenth after they lost to a last minute goal by Philip Bell at Kennek Ryhope CA, who are now well clear of the drop zone.

Norton climbed out of the bottom three with a good 5-1 away win at Prudhoe.

They got off to a great start thanks to a goal after just 44 seconds by Dan Pilling, then Chris Garbutt (two), Brian Sherlock and debutant Anthony Barkas added further goals before Prudhoe replied in the last minute through Lee Telfer.

Willington replaced Norton in the bottom three after they were beaten 1-0 at Hebburn, for whom Danny Donaldson scored.

Willington had Gary Ankers dismissed early in the second half.

Crook had a bad 5-2 home defeat by Seaham Red Star, who finished the game with ten men.

Kevin Dixon had an eventful game - he scored at both ends, and was later sent off.

Crook led 2-1 at one stage thanks to Dixon's own goal and David Snow, but Dixon, Paul Rowntree (two) and Paul Taylor (two) hit back for Seaham.

There's still some life in bottom club Shotton, as they virtually ended South Shields' promotion hopes with a 4-2 win.

Aaron Scott (two), Ricky Farrell and Ian Bickerstaff scored for Shotton, with Micky Irving and David Carr replying.

Shotton are now seven points from safety.