Kennek Ryhope CA striker Jonny Wightman set a new club record as well as a season's best with a magnificent seven goals in his side's 8-0 home win over Easington in the Second Division on Saturday - just before the lights failed.

Wightman, who returned to Ryhope at the start of the season after a spell at Washington Nissan, beat the club record set by former Newcastle and Darlington striker Kevin Todd 20 years ago, and set the individual scoring record for the league this season. Ryhope secretary Owen Haley said: "It was a display of quality finishing, and all similar goals through the middle. He could have scored more, but he hit the crossbar twice, and their keeper pulled off five great saves.

"It was one of those days when he couldn't do much wrong."

Wightman opened the scoring after ten minutes, with Gareth Hill adding the second four minutes later. It became a one-man show after that, with Wightman scoring four times between the 24th and 37th minutes to make the half time score 6-0, and he finished off the day by re-writing the record books with goals after 67 and 77 minutes. Haley also revealed that the floodlights failed - fortunately for them, five minutes after the final whistle.

Durham City and Bedlington look as if the title race will be between them after they both won in the First Division, and most of their nearest rivals dropped points. Durham beat Brandon 3-2 at the Archibalds Stadium. City took the lead after 16 minutes when Glen Robson's shot was blocked, but he reacted quickly to drive the rebound into the net from 12 yards, and they went further ahead after 28 minutes when Robson nodded down a Steve Stewart free-kick for Andrew Shaw to score. Brandon pulled one back through Chris Neil after 37 minutes with a header from a Steve Huggins corner, but Durham went 3-1 up after 75 minutes when Gavin Mudd was tripped after a good run, so Robson tucked away the penalty.

Andy Cuthbertson pulled one back to set up an exciting finish. Bedlington won 2-1 at Esh Winning to stay six points behind Durham with two games in hand. They took the lead after 14 minutes when Kevin Walton sent Chris Rue away, and he chipped Esh keeper Lenny French, but Esh levelled when Gary Messer set up Steve Burns to score.

But Bedlington got their noses in front in the second half when Roy Allen was tripped in the area, and he scored from the spot.

Whitley Bay dropped back after they lost 3-2 at Washington.

The home side looked as if they were cruising at one stage with a 3-0 lead.

They took the lead after nine minutes when Keith Hutchinson scored from a Stuart Greig cross, and they could have added further goals if it wasn't for some good saves by Phil Naisbett in the Whitley goal.

Washington eventually went 2-0 up after 59 minutes when Keith Oliver converted a penalty for handball, and they looked safe when Scott Oliver scored from a Michael Stubbs pass. Keith Oliver missed another penalty for handball, before Wayne Edgcumbe replied with two penalties for Whitley, both of them for fouls.

Dunston and Shildon drew 0-0 at Federation Park in a game of few chances. Dunston keeper Stuart Dawson saved well from Garry Barnes in the first half, while on the hour Shildon's Danny Richmond dribbled his way through the Dunston defence, but Dawson denied him.

Jarrow Roofing also dropped points with a 1-1 draw at Morpeth. Because of injuries, Roofing assistant manager Tony Metcalf started the game, and he was replaced by manager Richie McLoughlin in the second half. Roofing took the lead after just three minutes when Paul Stewart crossed for Craig Nelson to fire home, but Morpeth levelled when Mark Fenwick headed in a cross by Gary Middleton.

West Auckland dropped to fourth bottom after they drew 1-1 with Billingham Synthonia at Darlington Road.

Without a win in eight matches, they took the lead after 20 minutes with a curling free kick by Brian Fairhurst, but Synners levelled just after half time when Andrew Fletcher fired home from the edge of the area. West included three new signings, one of whom was Madhi Elfallah, who played nine games for Scottish Second Division side Hamilton last season.

Marske are getting left behind in second bottom after they lost 2-0 at Billingham Town. The home side took the lead after 66 minutes when Carl Chillingsworth set up Craig Skelton to score from close range.

Skelton then opened up the Marske defence to give Chillingsworth the chance to score the second. Marske hit the bar late in the game.

Chester-le-Street ended a run of seven games without a win by beating Penrith 5-1. They took an early lead when Lee Adamson crossed for Martin Bowes to head in, but Penrith levelled with a shot by Lee Hoolickin after 15 minutes. Kraig Wilkinson put them back into the lead from close range after 25 minutes, but the game turned on a missed penalty by Hoolickin, which Chester keeper Ian Aitken saved.

Chester took advantage to go 3-1 up after 65 minutes when Martin Bowes headed in a cross from Gary Shields, then on 80 minutes youngster Robbie Houghton ran through for the fourth. Andy Blower finished the scoring with a header near the end.

Thornaby and Peterlee drew 0-0 at Teesdale Park in a game of few chances, although the result extends Thornaby's unbeaten run to six league matches.

Third bottom Guisborough drew 1-1 at Horden. The home side took the lead after 25 minutes with a shot by Craig Stephens, but John Ryan levelled for Guisborough, who missed several good chances in the second half to take the points.

In the other Second Division games, leaders Consett easily disposed of second bottom Crook 4-0. Andy Thompson got the first from a left wing cross after 15 minutes, then former Darlington midfielder Peter Kirkham dribbled past four defenders and scored the second. Gary Price notched the third and Steve Lish, playing as an emergency centre half, finished Crook off with a volley from the edge of the box.

Second placed Ashington also won 4-0 at home to Whickham. Alex Lawson scored twice to take his tally for the season to nine in the league, with Gary Caldow and Alan Hogg getting the others.

The top two are now five points clear of the rest, after their nearest challengers faltered. South Shields, who were third, lost 2-1 at Murton. Willie Crew scored twice for Murton before Shields had Tony Gibson sent off. David Hopper scored for them when they were down to ten men.

Prudhoe are level on points with Shields in joint third after they beat Washington Nissan 4-1. Mark Drake scored twice for Prudhoe, with sub Calvin Magnus and Paul Leavey getting the others. Jimmy Farrell replied for Nissan.

Evenwood ended Newcastle Blue Star's six game unbeaten run with a 3-0 win at the Welfare Ground. Matty Moffat scored the first two goals, then Kristian Dinsley scored the goal of the game, beating four men and firing past the Star keeper.

Newcastle Benfield Saints striker Alu Bangura scored his third hat trick of the season with all of the goals for his side against Hebburn in their 3-2 win.

Craig Leonard and Craig Armstrong in turn equalised for Hebburn. Saints are now eighth.

Willington were denied victory against Northallerton when Steve Pennock scored for the visitors in the last minute to earn a 3-3 draw. Northallerton played with ten men for most of the game after Craig Winter was sent off. Two of the teams near the bottom, Norton and Seaham Red Star, drew 1-1.

Seaham led through John Harrison, but Chris Garbutt equalised. Seaham have appointed Andy Boynton as their new assistant manager.

Managerless bottom club Shotton, who had just 12 players, are now eight points adrift of safety after they lost 3-2 at home to Alnwick.

Shotton keeper Danny Yates also saved two penalties. The club is looking for a new manager following the resignation of Stan Cummins, anyone interested should contact secretary Billy Banks on 0191 5267134 or 07814 216433.

Division Two results: Ashington 4 (Lawson 2, Caldow, Hogg) Whickham 0, Consett 4 (Thompson, Kirkham, Price, Lish) Crook 0, Evenwood 3 (Moffat 2, Dinsley) Newcastle Blue Star 0, Kennek Ryhope CA 8 (Wightman 7, Hill) Easington 0, Murton 2 (Crew 2) South Shields 1 (Hopper), Newcastle Benfield Saints 3 (Bangura 3) Hebburn 2 (Leonard, Armstrong), Norton 1 (Garbutt) Seaham Red Star 1 (Harrison), Prudhoe 4 (Drake 2 , Magnus, Leavey) Washington Nissan 1 (Farrell) , Shotton 2 (Elliott, Pitton) Alnwick 3 (Young, Swordy, Cockburn), Willington 3 (Howe, Baker, Ankers) Northallerton 3 (Hebron 2, Pennock).