West Auckland's loss was Bedlington's gain as striker Roy Allen breathed life back into the champions' season in a 4-1 home win over Dunston on Saturday.

Allen, who has scored 15 goals in the league for West this season, moved to Bedlington in time to score one and set up another two in the win over Dunston.

But West weren't overjoyed about the circumstances leading up to the move. Manager Alan Oliver said: "We are unhappy with the way the player was approached - we asked Bedlington to leave him alone early last week.

"But during the week, Roy said that he wasn't going to play for us any more, so we had no option but to agree to the transfer."

Allen, who once scored nine in a game for West, had a hand in the opening goal, when his shot hit the post and John Milner snapped up the rebound. He got on the scoresheet after 20 minutes when Paul Brown hit his own post and Allen scored from the rebound.

Bedlington went three-up before the break when Phil Coxall crossed for Milner to head his 16th league goal of the season. Kane Young pulled a goal back for Dunston, but Allen rounded the keeper and set up Tony Chapman to score the fourth late in the game.

Esh Winning easily beat West Auckland 4-1 with all the goals coming in the second half.

Esh took the lead after 49 minutes when David Mawson ran through and beat Simon Hall, and they went further ahead when Gary Messer's shot was deflected past his own keeper by Mark Foster.

Michael Carter pulled a goal back, but Keith Emmerson made it 3-1 from a Jamie Howe free-kick then Messer completed the scoring with a low shot.

Second placed Brandon needed a late goal to win 2-1 at Peterlee, who now drop into the bottom three.

Rob Marsden put Brandon into the lead when he scored from the edge of the box, but Peterlee levelled through Andy Dobell following a mistake in the Brandon defence.

Brandon's Andy Cuthbertson missed a penalty following a foul on Steve Huggins, while Brandon keeper Ben Cole pulled off two good saves.

But Huggins got the winner with two minutes left when he fired in from a Dave Robson pass.

Shildon are third after they came from behind to win 3-2 at Marske.

The home side took the lead on the half hour when Shaun Howes dribbled through and fired past Adam Clementson, but Shildon equalised on the hour through Nigel Bolton.

Marske regained the lead straight from the kick-off through a shot from youngster Lee Alexander, but Shildon striker Lee Ellison finished off a four man move to equalise again.

And it was Ellison who scored the winner five minutes from the end, when he beat a defender to fire his 12th league goal of the season.

Durham City lost their second home game inside a week, going down 3-0 to Billingham Town, who climb above them into fourth place.

Durham had the early edge and hit the bar through Micky Dunwell but Town recovered and took the lead after 20 minutes with an Andy Burton shot from just inside the area following a defensive mistake.

After Durham boss Billy Cruddas was sent from the bench, they went further ahead after 69 minutes when a flowing move ended with a pass by David Turner for Mark Scott to pick his spot.

And Baverstock was involved in the third goal, when he crossed for Craig Skelton to beat Paul Newton at the second attempt.

Injury hit Tow Law drew 0-0 at Washington in a game of few chances.

Washington's Ben Chambers hit the post, while Paul Richardson went close for Tow Law.

Tow Law have transferred midfielder Gary Innes to Whitley Bay and he made his debut in their win over Chester-le-Street which ended their recent poor run.

The only goal came after 23 minutes when Mark Taylor's shot was blocked and Kevin Walton scored from the rebound.

But Chester nearly equalised late in the game with efforts from Andy Blower and John Heggarty.

Consett are just above the relegation zone after they lost 2-0 at home to Billingham Synthonia, who are now in fifth place.

Recent signing Neil Radigan fired Synners into the lead after 53 minutes, then Tony Wood added the second deep into stoppage time for his eighth league goal of the season.

Newcastle Blue Star collected a good point at the bottom with a 1-1 draw against Guisborough.

John Outhwaite headed Guisborough into the lead after 20 minutes, but Star levelled late in the game through Chris Herron for their second successive draw.

Prudhoe are now out of the bottom three after they won 3-1 at Morpeth, their first win in nearly two months.

Darryl Leach put Morpeth in front with a shot after 27 minutes, but Phil Thompson quickly levelled. Calvin Magnus quickly made it 2-1, then Tony Lowther made the points safe with a second half penalty.

In the second division, leaders Washington Nissan lost 2-0 at home to Seaham Red Star, for whom Stuart Morris scored twice in the last 20 minutes.

Easington are now just three points behind them after they came from behind to beat Shotton 4-1, who led with an early Stephen Roberts goal.

Richard Huntley junior scored one of the fastest goals of the season for Willington against Horden, who hit back to score five. Craig Lines scored twice.

Northallerton gave themselves a perfect boost for this week's FA Vase tie with a 2-0 win at Crook Town, Gary Shardah and David Onions scoring.

Evenwood are now in the top eight after a 4-3 win at Kennek Ryhope CA, Kevin Shoulder and John-Paul Collinson scoring on their debuts.

Thornaby, who have at least two games in hand on the teams above them, came from behind thanks to two Jamie Clarke goals to beat Ashington 2-1. Norton picked up three valuable points in their relegation fight with a 2-1 win at Eppleton, both goals coming in the last five minutes.

Division Two summary: Alnwick v South Shields postponed, Crook 0 Northallerton 2 (Shardah, Onions), Easington 4 (Price 2, Blackett, McCabe)Shotton 1 (Roberts), Eppleton 1 (Dunn) Norton 2 (Harland, White), Hebburn 1 (O'Brien) Murton 1 (Hellens), Kennek Ryhope CA 3 (Holmes 2, Hill) Evenwood 4 (Shoulder, Collinson, Reid, Dinsley), Penrith 2 (Paul, Irving) Whickham 1 (Cavanagh), Thornaby 2 (Clarke 2) Ashington 1 (Hogg), Washington Nissan 0 Seaham Red Star 2 (Morris 2), Willington 1 (Huntley jnr) Horden 5 (Lines 2, Martin, Dixon, Stephens)

Albany Durham Challenge Cup quarter-final draw: Dunston v Spennymoor, Birtley v Wolviston, Horden v Murton, Billingham Synthonia v Gateshead. Ties to be played in January.