Consett striker Colin McLeod scored on his 500th appearance for the club on Saturday - but it wasn't enough to give his side victory over Tow Law.

McLeod, who signed for the club over a decade ago, looked as if he had given Consett a much-needed victory until Tow Law equalised late in the game.

Consett manager Colin Carr said: "Colin showed why he has been such a good player for us.

"His average has been a goal every two games, and he scored right on cue. It's a pity that we didn't hold on for the winner."

McLeod scored five minutes after half-time, when he chested down a corner from Lee Suddes and volleyed home.

But Consett were pegged back five minutes from the end when Scott Thompson was brought down and Scott Nicholson scored from the spot. Consett keeper Stuart Kelly was red-carded in stoppage time for swearing at the referee.

Brandon narrowed the gap on leaders Bedlington to four points after they beat Washington 2-1.

Brandon took the lead after 58 minutes when John Ewart scored from the edge of the box from a pass by Robbie Marsden.

Brandon centre-half David Johnson headed a long throw into his own net for the Washington equaliser ten minutes from time.

But with four minutes left, Marsden again provided the pass for Ewart to score his fifth goal in two games. The three clubs behind Brandon all lost.

Billingham Synthonia's title hopes took a knock when they were beaten 3-0 at Esh Winning, all of the goals coming in the second half. Synners had the edge in the first half, but Esh took the lead after 49 minutes through Gary Messer.

A brace by Mawson completed the scoring. Synners' misery was completed when Esh keeper Lenny French saved a penalty from Lee Flanagan in the last minute. Billingham Town missed a chance to go third after they lost 2-1 at home to West Auckland, who are now sixth.

Town led when David Gallagher ran from the halfway line and fired past Simon Hall, but West equalised within a couple of minutes through Michael Carter.

Town's Carl Chillingsworth was controversially dismissed for a foul in the second half, and West scored the winner with a 30-yarder from David Bainbridge.

Shildon lost 3-1 at Durham City, who gave a return debut to Craig Lake after a spell at Bishop Auckland.

Durham took the lead after 31 minutes when Micky Dunwell scored with a left-foot shot from 12 yards, but Shildon equalised through Lee Ellison.

However, Durham scored twice within a minute. Tony Healer scored from a rebound, then new signing Lee O'Donovan headed in a Lake free-kick.

Dunston, who lost in the Vase in midweek, are still in the bottom half of the table after they lost 1-0 at home to Guisborough, whose striker John Outhwaite scored his second goal in three games with a header just after the break.

Prudhoe moved further away from trouble with a 3-1 win at bottom-club Newcastle Blue Star with two of their recent signings amongst the goals.

Tony Lowther fired them in front after just six minutes, then Chris Creamer got the second on the half hour.

Wayne Edgcumbe ran through for the third after 69 minutes, before Blue Star's Mark Lazenby pulled a goal back.

Peterlee are still in the bottom three after a 2-1 home defeat by Jarrow Roofing.

Roofing took the lead after 20 minutes when David Tate latched on to a long ball and beat Peterlee keeper Eddie Lawton.

But Peterlee levelled with a goal by Steve Pickering.

However, Roofing grabbed the points when Paul Chow netted his 20th league goal of the season from a free-kick

Marske and Chester-le-Street drew 1-1 at Mount Pleasant. Chester played with ten men for most of the game after Danny O'Brien was red-carded for a professional foul, but they took the lead after 36 minutes when Steve Cuggy dribbled through and beat Phil Naisbett. But Marske levelled shortly after half-time with a Sean Howes penalty following a handball offence. In the second division, most of the leading teams won.

Leaders Washington Nissan comfortably won 4-0 at Eppleton, with Jonny Wightman taking his tally for the season to 13 in the process.

Easington won 2-1 at Hebburn, with new signing Peter Ould scoring their first goal. Penrith went into third place with a 6-1 home win over Evenwood to keep the only unbeaten record in the league intact, Andy Wright scoring a hat-trick. Martin Houlahan scored for Evenwood before he was sent off.

Thornaby, who have games in hand on everybody above them, went into sixth with a 3-0 home win over Murton.

Norton picked up a valuable three points at Alnwick to leave the home side firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

John Fielding scored for Norton.

Seaham Red Star stayed in touch with the leaders thanks to a 4-0 home win over lowly Shotton.