Shildon manager Ray Gowan still believes that his side can mount a title challenge after they thumped West Auckland 5-1 at Dean Street on Saturday.

Shildon have fallen well behind with their league fixtures because of their cup commitments, and this morning they are in eighth spot, 15 points behind the leaders with four games in hand.

Gowan feels that Shildon can't be ruled out of the race, but he pointed out: "We can't afford to drop many more points in the next few weeks, and we've got some big games coming up. I think there are still four or five teams in it, but we have a lot of work to do. We've still got Bedlington and Durham to play, although we've now played Dunston twice.

"In a way, it's similar to our Second Division promotion campaign. We were midtable about this time, but we still managed to win the league."

Shildon striker Garry Barnes ended his run of four games without a goal by scoring after just 35 seconds when Lee Ellison dispossessed a defender and Barnes ran through to slip the ball past Paul Collinson. Stephen Tobin headed the second from an inswinging corner after 37 minutes, and within a minute Ellison fired in the third.

Andrew O'Shea pulled one back with a superb diving header from a left wing cross to give West some slim hope before half time, but after Barnes hit the post, Ellison provided the pass for former Darlington midfielder Paul Campbell, on his debut to slot in the fourth.

After defender Paul Collins was red-carded for pulling back Barnes, Ellison dribbled past two men and scored the fifth in the last minute.

Jarrow Roofing moved into third after they thrashed Whitley Bay 7-2 at Hillheads, virtually ending Whitley's title hopes.

They took the lead after ten minutes with a header by new signing Micky Gough, and went 2-0 up following a poor clearance by Whitley keeper Phil Naisbett, allowing Ged Quinn to score.

It was 3-0 after 16 minutes through Gavin Cogden from a left wing cross, and on the half hour mark, Paul Chow volleyed another from twelve yards.

Whitley's Paddy Little was dismissed for violent conduct, then Chow grabbed the fifth after 48 minutes with another good finish.

Wayne Edgcumbe pulled one back for Whitley with a penalty, but Steve Leadbitter got the sixth from a few yards. Dominic Rice pulled another back for Whitley from 25 yards, but in the last minute Cogden strolled through to make the score 7-2.

Roofing, who gave debuts to Gough, Leadbitter and Andrew Brabbs are third, nine points behind Durham with a game in hand.

Durham City are the title favourites after a hat-trick from Glen Robson gave them the points at Chester-le-Street.

After a goalless first half, Durham took the lead after 54 minutes when Lee O'Donovan found Robson, who scored with a right foot volley from just inside the box.

He got his second from a Robbie Herbert free kick from the left, and then he completed his hat-trick from a right wing free kick which was flicked on by O'Donovan. Chester striker Martin Bowes was dismissed late in the game. Manager Billy Cruddas said: "Glen took his goals well, but we still have to keep winning matches."

Bedlington are in second place on their own after they beat Morpeth 3-1 at Welfare Park.

Paul Dunn put them in the lead after 31 minutes with a header from a Tony Chapman corner, then Chapman made it 2-0 from the edge of the box after he played a one-two with Roy Allen.

Chapman finished off a five man move for the third before Chris Taylor pulled a late goal back.

Dunston had a good 3-2 win at Brandon after being 2-1 down at half time, to put them in a useful fifth position.

Brandon took the lead in the opening minute with an effort by Steve Huggins, but Brandon levelled with a Micky Farrey penalty after Paul Hollier was fouled.

Chris Neil popped up at the other end to head in a Huggins free kick to put Brandon back into the lead, but after the interval, Brandon's Mark Patterson was dismissed for two yellow cards.

Hollier equalised for Dunston from a David Southern cross, then he got the winner after Steve Holmes flicked on a Southern corner.

The match was held up for 15 minutes at half time because of an injury to referee Eddie King, and league referee Paul Simpson, who was in the crowd, agreed to act as an assistant.

Peterlee striker Paul Hinton scored a hat trick in their 3-0 win over Horden to put them into sixth.

Tow Law jumped four places after they had a comfortable 3-0 home win over Esh Winning.

After hitting the woodwork, they took the lead when Andy McKenna scored from close range, then McKenna was in the right place to turn in a shot by Carl Beasley after Scott Richards hit the bar.

After more second half pressure, Lawyers scored the third when youngster Danny Craggs beat a defender and beat the keeper with a clever chip.

Lawyers are hoping that midfielder Scott Richards will stay with the club instead of moving to Spennymoor.

Marske United are looking increasingly doomed after they lost 5-0 at home to third bottom Guisborough, who are now nine points ahead of them.

Guisborough took the lead when former Marske midfielder Simon Kasonali scored direct from a free kick, then a few minutes later Gary Hinchley scored from a corner.

Marske suffered further blows in the second half when Guisborough scored twice within a minute. Michael Pugh scored the third from close range after 71 minutes, and then John Ryan turned well in the box and fired home. And to make matters worse for Marske, another of their former players, Darren Sankey, headed the fifth.

The match between Penrith and Thornaby was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

In the second division, leaders Consett had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Hebburn, after playing for more than half the game following the dismissal of Jon King after 31 minutes. Both keepers, Hebburn's Mark English and Consett's James Platten, pulled off good saves.

Second placed Ashington snatched the points at Crook, thanks to a last minute own goal by Paul Freeman.

Newcastle Blue Star stay third after a last minute goal from Micky Cunningham gave them a 2-1 home win over Prudhoe. Richie Bond put Blue Star into the lead earlier, with Prudhoe sub Gary McDonald equalising.

Benfield Saints had an impressive 5-1 win at South Shields, scoring four times in the first half as well as hitting the woodwork twice. Kevin Gustard and Stephen Young both scored two apiece in with Adam Scope adding another after the interval. Micky Haley replied for Shields.

Washington Nissan beat second bottom Easington 3-0 with goals from Neil Jackson (2) and Ian Matthews.

Murton stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 1-1 draw at Northallerton. Stephen Digby put Murton ahead, with Matthew Cooke levelling for Northallerton, who now drop into seventh.

Kennek Ryhope lost their keeper, Gary Ventress, through injury at Seaham Red Star, and still drew 1-1. Ventress was replaced by substitute midfielder Ryan Kerr, who pulled off three good saves late in the game. Phil Bell scored for Ryhope, with Paul Rowntree levelling for Seaham.

Bottom club Shotton thought they were heading for a much needed victory as they led 1-0 at Evenwood, but ended losing 2-1.

Shotton had defender Darryl Evans dismissed in the first half, and took the lead just after half time through Sean Gregory. But Evenwood hit back to win for the first time in three games with goals by Kristian Dinsley and Martin Houlahan.

Norton collected a point at Whickham, after Danny Hall missed a penalty for the home side.

Willington are still just above the danger zone after they lost 3-0 at Alnwick, Michael Dixon (2) and Paul McCormick scoring.