Bedlington suffered a double blow to their title hopes at the weekend when they lost 3-1 at home to Dunston - and also had three points deducted by the league.

Dunston beat Bedlington for the third time this season to improve their own title chances, while Bedlington stayed in second, nine points off leaders Durham.

And in another twist, Bedlington learned that they have had three points deducted by the league for fielding an ineligible player, Andy Watson, in their league game last month against Guisborough.

Joint manager Tony Lowery said: " Andy has been part of our set up for three years, and came on as a sub against Guisborough for five minutes. We thought he was registered.

"Dunston seem to have the Indian sign over us this season. The defeat plus the deduction, are going to make life even more difficult."

Dunston keeper Stuart Dawson pulled off three good saves before his side took the lead after 39 minutes when Ben Thompson's shot was parried by Bedlington keeper Michael Robinson, and Paul Hogg scored from the rebound.

Dunston went 2-0 up on 63 minutes when Andy Southern crossed for Richie Pitt to head home, but Bedlington pulled one back through Ian Dixon in a goalmouth scramble. Dunston made sure in the last minute when Micky Farrey scored from the spot after Paul Hollier was fouled.

West Auckland boosted their survival hopes by defeating Marske United 1-0 in their relegation clash, to leave Marske eleven points adrift of safety.

Marske had the chances to go in front with Lee Alexander and Dean McGee going close, but West scored the only goal of the game after 57 minutes when youngster Ben Summers, signed from Darlington, headed in a free kick by Brian Fairhurst.

"It was a really important winner for us," said general manager Stuart Alderson.

West are now six points above the drop zone, but have played more games than everybody else.

Tow Law dropped to fourth bottom after they were beaten 4-2 at Peterlee.

The home side took the lead when Paul Hinton set up David Yale to score from a few yards after seven minutes, but Tow Law levelled when Andy McKenna raced clear and beat Paul Newton.

Hinton restored Peterlee's lead when he latched on to a long pass from Paul Harvey and headed over the keeper, then Yale got the third at the start of the second half when he beat the keeper at the second attempt. A mistake by Newton allowed Gary Innes to pull one back, but Chris Emms caught Lawyers on the break in injury time for the fourth.

The surprise result of the day was Chester-le-Street's 4-1 away win at Brandon, scoring all their goals in the second half.

Brandon took the lead with a shot by Stephen Flockett after 27 minutes, then Chris Neil hit the bar with a header.

But Chester revived in the second half. They equalised with a header by youngster Stephen Richardson, then Lee Adamson got the second from close range. Adamson scored the third with a cross which deceived Brandon keeper Barry Poskitt, and near the end David Turner made it four with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Washington dropped back into trouble after they lost 3-1 at Thornaby. They had midfielder Stuart Dixon dismissed early in the game for a foul, and they fell behind after 34 minutes when David Goodchild scored from close range, then Jamie Clarke scored his 12th league goal of the season just before half time. Tony Hanson gave Washington some hope at the start of the second half, but Clarke finished them off with another strike.

Esh Winning moved into fourth after they won 2-0 at bottom club Penrith.

Esh scored both goals in the first half. They took the lead with a header by Trevor Hawthorne, and then got a second when Gary Messer got the last touch to a low cross by Richie Paxton for his 14th league goal of the season.

Consett are now a massive sixteen points clear of the rest at the top of the Second Division after they won 3-1 at Easington, who stay second bottom. Neil Hood, Paul Terrell and Peter Kirkham were Consett's scorers, with Billy Millington pulling one back for Easington late in the game.

Second placed Ashington could only draw 2-2 at Northallerton. They led at one point with a left foot shot from Alan Hogg, but Northallerton hit back through Steve Pennock and Eddie Hebron, his eighth league goal of the season. Hogg levelled from the penalty spot after 75 minutes

South Shields dropped to sixth after they were held 2-2 at home by Norton. Brian Sherlock put Norton ahead, and after Shields scored twice through David Haigh, Chris Dunwell equalised. Norton had a goal disallowed for offside near the end.

Prudhoe are now third after they won 3-2 at Seaham Red Star. Seaham led 2-1 with goals by debutant Vic Holt and Dean Hellens, but Prudhoe sub Gary McDonald hit back with a pair for Prudhoe, for whom Paul Leavey scored the opening goal of the game.

Newcastle Blue Star failed to make up ground on the leaders after they were held 1-1 at home by Murton, who took the lead through Andrew Middleton, but Lee Ludlow equalised.

Washington Nissan moved into fourth after they ended Benfield Saints' five game unbeaten run with a second half goal by Ian Matthews, even though they were down to ten men because of the dismissal of Kevin Bruce.

Crook Town threw away a two-goal lead for the second time in four days, this time against Alnwick. They led 2-0 at half time with goals from David Snow and Andy Morris, but Alnwick hit back with goals from Mark Cockburn, Rob Mallaburn and Andrew Dixon.

Crook stay out of the bottom two on goal difference.

Willington have a five point cushion over the relegation zone after they won 3-2 at Shotton. Gary Ankers, Stephen Howe and Jon-Paul Tallentire were the scorers for Willington who were behind 2-1 at one stage. Shotton have appointed Vince Kirkup as their new manager following the resignation of Stan Cummins.

Evenwood lost 3-0 at Whickham, for whom Gary Smith, Ian Robson and an Evenwood defender were the scorers.

Kennek Ryhope CA picked up a point in a draw at Hebburn.