Guisborough lifted themselves out of the first division relegation zone with a 4-1 win at Whitley Bay - a victory which prompted the resignation of Whitley Bay boss John Charlton.

Guisborough are now above Washington and Chester-le-Street in the relegation fight, and manager Steve Corden said: "The big difference has been the fact that several of our injured players have returned recently to the starting line up.

"That showed last week when we won 5-0 at Marske. We've been playing well, but now we're out of the bottom three, we must make sure that we stay above it."

Guisborough took an early lead when defender Mark Sunley headed in a corner, then Darren Sankey headed a second from another corner. Wayne Edgcumbe pulled a goal back for his 22nd league goal of the season - the best in the league - but then Guisborough stormed back again.

John Ryan finished off a five man move for the third on the hour and then Keith Brodie, who was released by Bradford City during the summer, fired home from the edge of the area.

Charlton announced his decision to quit soon after the match.

The son of the legendary Jack, he was appointed during the summer following the resignation of Andy Gowens, but after being in title contention in the early months of the season, Whitley have slipped to fifth, and have played at least four games more than the clubs above them.

A 4-0 defeat at Mossley in the FA Vase, and a 7-2 home defeat by Jarrow Roofing last week, put Charlton under pressure.

Ian Chandler, who scored for Whitley in the FA Vase final 2001, was last night named as Charlton's replacement. He has been playing for Jarrow Roofing.

Leaders Durham City were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Esh Winning. Durham only had themselves to blame for missing several good chances, and manager Billy Cruddas said: "We had plenty of the play, but we just couldn't score."

Andrew Shaw, Glen Robson and Sam Kitchen all missed good opportunities, but Esh also defended well.

Dunston are now in third place after they beat Tow Law 3-1 at Federation Park.

Lawyers were ahead at one point, when Andy McKenna's penalty was blocked by former Tow Law keeper Stuart Dawson, but he followed up to score from the rebound. But then their defence gave away some bad goals.

Keeper Andy Colling missed his punch when he came for a cross, and Ben Thompson headed in just before half time, then the keeper dropped another clanger for the second, when he carried a cross from Danny Shore over his own line.

Shore then took advantage of a mix up between two Tow Law defenders to score the third.

Dunston play Durham in the league this Saturday.

Jarrow Roofing dropped out of third place after they lost 3-1 at Billingham Town.

The home side took the lead when Craig Skelton chipped John Caffery from the edge of the box, and then they missed three good chances before they scored the second after 67 minutes, when Andy Burton found Skelton, who raced through and beat Caffry. Carl Chillingsworth added the third in the last minute from an Andy Swalwell cross, before Roofing scored a late consolation through Steve Leadbitter.

"I thought that was our best performance of the season," said manager Alan Robinson.

Shildon dropped valuable points in a 0-0 draw at Horden, mainly thanks to an outstanding display by Horden keeper Steve Tierney.

Tierney pulled off several good saves to deny Shildon forwards Lee Ellison and Garry Barnes, while Steve Tobin hit the post late in the game.

Shildon stay in eighth place, with games in hand on everybody above them, apart from Dunston.

Micky Hodgson's return as Marske manager saw his side pick up their first point in eight games in a 2-2 draw with Billingham Synthonia.

They got off to a great start, when Jonathan Stott scored with a left foot shot after just two minutes, but Synners levelled when Chris Fawcett scored from a David Wells cross.

Marske regained the lead before half time when Chris Keegan's shot was blocked, and Shaun Howes scored from the rebound.

But Synners extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches on the hour when Craig Perry touched in a Neil Radigan free kick.

However, Marske are still 11 points adrift of safety.

Thornaby are now in the bottom half of the table after they lost 2-0 at Morpeth.

They had defender David Goodchild red-carded early in the game, and they went behind after 50 minutes when Morpeth's recent signing, Chris Taylor, scored from the edge of the area, then he added a second after 72 minutes with a 25 yarder.

In the second division, Ashington are now well clear in second after they beat local rivals Alnwick 3-2.

They were a goal down to James Swordy, but Alan Hogg, Alex Lawson and Ian Herron hit back for them before Lee Anderson scored an own goal.

Newcomers to the league, Newcastle Benfield Saints, are now third after they thumped Newcastle Blue Star 4-2.

Saints scored four times in a one-sided first half, with Adam Scope (2), Stephen Young and Kevin Gustard scoring. Star recovered to score twice in the second half through Steve Boon and Dean Gibb.

Washington Nissan missed a chance to move into third when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Hebburn. Nissan, with new signing John Harrison from Seaham in their team had the edge on chances, but couldn't break through.

South Shields won 3-2 at Kennek Ryhope CA thanks to a stoppage time goal by Alan Anderson.

Craig Tate's opener for Shields was cancelled out by Phil Bell before half time, then Anderson gave Shields a 2-1 lead.

Ryhope thought that they'd recovered from a Gary Errington penalty miss when Paul Wardle levelled in the 90th minute, but then came Anderson's winner following a drop ball for an injured player.

South Shields chairman John Rundle has announced that he is stepping down after two decades in the post.

Murton striker Paul Diamond scored five as they thumped bottom club Shotton 6-4.

Shotton led 2-0 at one stage through Michael Pittan, but then Diamond began his one man scoring act.

He scored three before Stephen Bentley pulled a goal back, then added two more, along with Stephen Turner. Paul Bond pulled a late goal back for Shotton, who are now nine points adrift of safety.

Diamond is thought to be the first Murton player to score five in a game in the Northern League.

Easington picked up their first point under manager Peter Grasham when they drew 2-2 with Seaham Red Star.

However, they led 2-0 at one stage with goals from Anthony Westwood and Gary Ward, but then had Craig Blenkinsopp dismissed for swearing. Seaham, who moved up to fifth bottom, fought back in the last ten minutes with two goals.

The First Division matches at Penrith, Washington and West Auckland were all postponed, as were those in the second division at Consett, Evenwood, Norton and Whickham.