Late replacement John Shotton lifted the Second Division relegation gloom for struggling Crook with a four-goal blast against neighbours Willington on Saturday.

Shotton hadn't played a league game for several months, but Crook boss Alan Oliver signed him the day before the game, and was rewarded with some quality finishing in the 5-0 win.

"John was with me at West Auckland, but he's only been playing in local football this season," said Oliver.

"He was really sharp, and his finishing was top drawer. He really hammered them in.

"It was a much needed win, and the players' confidence has been boosted. The team spirit is also slowly getting better, but we know there's a long way to go yet."

Oliver also gave another former West Auckland player, Simon Rogers, his debut.

Shotton gave Crook the lead midway through the first half when he turned quickly on the edge of the box and fired into the top corner, but he dominated the second half after Crook keeper Andrew Sams made a good save.

He raced through and beat the Willington keeper with a low shot soon after the interval, then he blasted in two more from the edge of the box to take his personal tally to four.

And he was even involved in the fifth goal late in the game, when his shot was blocked and youngster Michael Sutcliffe forced the ball home.

Bedlington narrowed the gap on First Division leaders Durham to six points with a 4-2 win at Thornaby.

They took the lead when Colin McKenzie split the Thornaby defence for Anthony Chapman to fire home, but Thornaby levelled just before half time when David Goodchild headed in a Micky Arnold corner.

However, Bedlington soon restored their lead when James Harmison played a one-two with John Milner and beat Adrian Swan, then Roy Allen cleverly chipped the third from 30 yards.

Allen got the fourth from the spot after he was brought down by Swan, while Thornaby also scored a penalty through Jamie Clarke after a foul on Micky Ward.

Whitley Bay are level on points with Bedlington after they won 4-1 at second bottom Marske United.

They never looked back after taking a second minute lead, when Michael Carter headed in a Michael Dickinson cross. They went 2-0 up when Wayne Edgcumbe turned the ball home from close range, but Marske pulled a goal back through Lee Alexander from a Steve Morley free kick.

Marske piled on the pressure in the second half but Whitley went 3-1 up when Edgcumbe crossed for Carter to beat Peter Flear.

And Edgcumbe grabbed another in the last minute from close range.

Jarrow Roofing are fourth after they won 2-1 at Horden.

The home side took the lead after 39 minutes through Stuart Jewson from a Chris Pearson pass, but Roofing quickly equalised when Ged Quinn headed home an Adam Johnston free kick. Roofing got the winner just after half time when Paul Chow broke down the right and lobbed Steve Tierney in the Horden goal.

Roofing have signed striker Ian Chandler who scored the goal that won the FA Vase for Whitley Bay two years ago.

Dunston have plenty of games in hand in sixth after they beat bottom club Penrith 1-0 at Federation Park.

Dunston missed several chances before they took the lead just before half time, when Andy Southern beat James Holland with a low shot.

Holland kept Penrith in the game in the second half with several good saves.

West Auckland had their keeper, Jon Collinson, dismissed in their 3-0 home defeat by Peterlee.

West missed some good early chances, but they fell behind after 20 minutes when Chris Emms picked up a short corner, cut into the box, and beat Collinson from 12 yards.

Collinson was then dismissed for a professional foul on Paul Hinton, who set up Anthony Dobell for the second. Hinton then chipped Collinson's replacement, outfield player Adam Gilroy for the third.

The match between Billingham Town and Guisborough was abandoned at half time because of a power failure. Town were leading 1-0 at the time thanks to a goal by Carl Chillingsworth. Guisborough started the game with assistant manager Tiger Wyke in goal, until regular Simon Corbett arrived just after the match kicked off.

The matches at Chester-le-Street, Esh Winning, Morpeth and Washington were all postponed because of waterlogged pitches

In the other Second Division matches, Consett are now 16 points clear at the top after they beat Alnwick with two late goals.

The points didn't come Consett's way until the last seven minutes.

Consett keeper James Platten kept his side in the game with a good save, and Consett took the lead when Steve Ireland scored with a low shot.

The second goal came along a few minutes later, when Jeff Sugden scored from a rebound.

Norton are now in the bottom three after they were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle Blue Star, who are now third. Strikers Micky Cunningham and Lee Ludlow, with his 19th league goal of the season, scored for Blue Star.

Ashington are second, six points ahead of Blue Star, after they thrashed bottom club Shotton 6-2. Alan Hogg, last season's leading scorer, scored a hat trick, with Jon Sunderland (2) and Gary Caldow scoring the others. Richard Johnson and Ian Bickerstaffe scored for Shotton.

Washington Nissan, who were third before Saturday, had a setback when they lost 2-0 at Kennek Ryhope CA. Phil Bell (30) and Gareth Hill (60) scored for Ryhope, for whom Jonny Wightman missed two good chances against his old club.

Northallerton revived their promotion hopes by winning 1-0 at Evenwood, with Craig Winter scoring, but they had striker Eddie Hebron dismissed for two bookable offences.

Easington remained second bottom after they lost 4-1 at home to Hebburn. Rob Marsden (2), Gary Donaldson and Stephen Hymers scored for Hebburn, with David Atkinson replying for Easington, who have played more games than the clubs around them.

Murton are unbeaten in six matches after they drew 2-2 at Whickham. Paul Diamond and a late own goal by Paul Cavanagh were Murton's scorers, with Barry Watson and Danny Hall scoring for Whickham.