Spennymoor have the play-offs in their sights after securing their fourth successive win at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday.

It was also Moors' third successive victory by a three goal margin, as the visitors finished the game with just nine men.

They had Phil Robinson red-carded for lashing out at Tony Woodhouse on 28 minutes, and they took the lead when Chris Lynch headed in a cross from Stuart Brightwell.

Jason Ainsley put them into the driving seat with a shot from the edge of the box from a Neal Bishop free kick just before half time. Bamber were then reduced to nine men when Billy Abbott was shown red for a foul on Ainsley, and Danny Brunskill made sure from a pass by Lynch.

Assistant manager Ainsley said: "We're building up momentum now."

Bishop Auckland collected a valuable point in a goalless draw with Witton Albion. There were few chances in the game, although Bishops nearly gained all three points with efforts from Stuart Irvine and Neil Maddison. Manager Brian Honour said: "We have played five of the teams from the top seven in recent weeks, and not one of them has beaten us. The lads are battling and scrapping really hard." Bishops are unbeaten at Dean Street in their last seven matches, and now play Spennymoor at the Brewery Field on Tuesday.

In the Premier Division, Whitby drew 1-1 with Barrow at the Turnbull Ground. Alex Gildea scored for Whitby, with Barrow equalising in the last minute through former Carlisle player Ian Arnold.

Gateshead are through to the league cup final after they beat Rossendale 4-0 at the International Stadium. They scored three times in the first half through Keith Douglas, David Colvin and Willie Moat, with Colvin scoring again later.

In the chairman's cup, Blyth striker Glen Robson was dismissed for the fifth time this season when he was shown red for swearing in the 4-1 defeat at Hucknall.

Gareth Williams also saw red, to bring Blyth's red card tally for the season to 12, and a possible five figure fine from the FA. Robson had earlier put Blyth into the lead.