Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour was a frustrated man after his side's victory hopes were plunged into darkness on Saturday.

Bishops were leading 2-1 against promotion-chasing Leek Town and on course for three badly-needed points when the referee was forced to abandon the match with just ten minutes remaining on the clock after one of the floodlights went out.

A date for the rearranged fixture is not due to be announced until the new year.

Honour fumed: "The players responded really well after some of our poor performances recently.

"They were very determined, and really although we didn't win the game, we feel that it was a victory.

"But we all felt very frustrated that the lights went out, and the referee wouldn't continue."

Dean Gibb, signed from Bedlington along with youngster John Mann, gave Bishops the lead when he scored with a free-kick from the edge of the box. But Leek Town quickly levelled with a shot by Greg Briggs.

Gibb was involved in Bishops' next goal by Steve Salvin, but then the lights went out to spoil Bishops' day.

Spennymoor are back on course after they won 2-1 at Rossendale.

Moors boss Tony Lee signed Nicky Mohan, once of Middlesbrough, from Harrogate Town just before kick-off, and was impressed by the tall defender's impact on his team.

He said afterwards: "I thought we looked tighter at the back than we have in recent matches, and both our goals were well-taken."

Stuart Brightwell opened the scoring for Moors with a powerful shot and after Rossendale got back into the game with a goal by Craig Sargeson, David Goodchild opened up the Rossendale defence for Preen to run through and score.

In the Premier Division, Whitby had a thrilling 5-5 draw at Marine.

They led 2-0 after just five minutes and then 5-3 with five minutes to go. Gateshead lost 3-0 at Vauxhall Motors to slip closer to the bottom.

However, Blyth gave themselves some much-needed breathing space with a 4-0 win over Ashton United, Craig Perry scoring twice.

l Morpeth became the fifth Northern League team to reach the last 32 of the FA Vase with a 3-2 home victory over Willenhall in their delayed third round tie.

Morpeth looked to be down and out when they trailed 2-1 with five minutes left, but goals from Shaun Nesbitt and Gareth McGhie made sure they made it into the next round, which will be an away game against Maldon.

Morpeth took an early lead through Colin Lawton, but Willenhall hit back to lead 2-1 with just eight minutes left on the clock.