Durham City manager Billy Cruddas suffered his first defeat in charge when City lost 3-2 at champions Bedlington on Saturday - but he still thinks his side can launch a title challenge.
Cruddas tasted defeat for the first time in five games since his appointment, but he drew comfort from a determined display by his team, which wasn't helped by two clangers by keeper Marc Riches.
"I'm delighted with the way we battled," he said. "We took the game to them, especially when we were trailing in the second half. I still think that we have a good chance of winning the league, but whoever beats Bedlington will win it."
Durham took the lead when Stuart Brightwell scored from a Micky Dunwell pass after 18 minutes, but a mistake by Riches led to a scramble in which John Milner was fouled, and he tucked away the penalty.
And Bedlington went into the lead when Riches fumbled a shot from Christian Graham into his own net. Robbie Cockburn made it 3-1, but Durham made a game of it when Milner, under pressure, put through his own goal.
Cruddas has also been given a boost by the news that midfielder Stuart Irvine has turned down the chance to go to Bishop Auckland. Gavin Liddle is staying on as manager of Second Division Washington Nissan following a meeting before the 3-3 draw with South Shields.
"I have ironed out my difficulties with the committee," he said. "We're all looking forward now to trying to win promotion, and to expand our youth policy at the club. We've all reached an understanding."
But Liddle was helpless as his side failed to beat ten men South Shields, after they led 3-1 at one stage. Shields had their keeper Craig Shields red-carded in the first half, but they battled back to draw 3-3 with gaols from David Hague and David Tremble. Adam Johnston, Gavin Cogdon and Jon Wightman scored for Nissan, with Mick Haley scoring the other goal for Shields.
Seaham Red Star are looking for a new manager following the resignation of Wilf Constantine following yesterday's 3-1 home defeat by Northallerton.
Constantine has been in charge for just over a year, and general manager Tommy Goodrum, who is now accepting applications for the job, said: "Wilf thinks that he can't take the team any further. We wish him the best in the future."
Seaham are curreently in the bottom half of the table, and Paul Pitman will take over temporaraily.
Brandon are still top of the First Division table after they won 2-0 at Chester-le-Street. They took the lead in the opening minute, when new signing Richie Anderson scored from a pass by Dave Robson, and they missed further chances to increase their lead through Andy Cuthbertson and Richie Pitt.
Chester came more into the game in the second half and Andy Blower missed a couple of chances, but Andy Purvis scored his first goal for two season in the dying minutes when Steve Huggins opened up the defence for him to score.
Billingham Synthonia are in third place after they beat Prudhoe 2-1 at Central Avenue, but they had to come from behind.
Prudhoe, who have yet to win away in the league this season ,took the lead after 31 minutes when Gary McDonald scored from the spot after John Mohun brought him down, but Synners levelled when Tony Wood raced clear and fired in. James Bridge scored the winner after 67 minutes when he dribbled through and beat the Prudhoe keeper.
Guisborough are still well in touch after they beat bottom club Consett 3-1 at the King George.
John Outhwaite put them in front with a fifth minute header, but Consett equalsied with a good shot from Colin McLeod.
New signing Ben Walker restored Guisborough's lead from a Steve Ritchie cross, and he added another near the end after beating two defenders.
Billingham Town are fifth after they comfortably won 4-1 at Peterlee. They took the lead after 15 minutes when David Turner raced from the halfway line and beat keeper Trevor Dobell, and they went further ahead when Carl Chillingsworth beat two defenders and fired home.
Chillingsworth set up Neil Preston to make it 3-1 after 65 minutes ,and even though Peterlee pulled a goal back through Tony Dobell, Mark Scott volleyed the fourth from the edge of the box.
Former Darlington striker Lee Ellison scored a hat trick for Shildon in their 3-1 home win over Jarrow Roofing.
He scored his first after 35 minutes with a lob over the keeper from the edge of the area, but Paul Chow fired the visitors level with his ninth goal of the season.
Ellison finished off a good move to restore Shildon's lead after 64 minutes, then he scored from the rebound after Chris Burn hit the post. Shildon have signed keeper Adam Clemenson from Durham.
West Auckland were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Dunston. Recent signing Darren Sankey put Dunston into the lead with a header, but West equalsied when Phil McGuire crossed for Roy Allen to score from ten yards.
Allen added a good second when he outpaced the defence to slot past the keeper, but West full back Ray Stanger was then dismissed for two yellows and Dunston took advantage to equalise through Steve Hamil from a Micky Farrey free kick.
Esh Winning moved clear of trouble after a 2-1 victory over Washington.
The visitors had the better of the play in the first half, but Esh took the lead when recent signing David Mawson scored from a pass by Steve Burns, but Michael Stubbs equalsied from ten yards.
But Mawson was involved in Esh's winner just four minutes from the end, when his driven cross was turned into his own net by Washington defender Kevin Leighton.
Morpeth and Marske drew 2-2 to hold on to their midtable positions. Morpeth scored one of the fastest goals of the season in the opening seconds when Jason Hammond put the ball into his own net, but Marske quickly equalsied when Andrew Brown scored from a rebound.
Hammond dropped another clanger to allow Colin Lawton to put Morpeth back into the lead, but his blushes were saved by mark James who scored from a Shaun Howes cross.
In the second division, leaders Whickham slipped up.
Whickham were held to a 2-2 draw at improving Hebburn, with Chris Joyce taking his tally to six in four league games for Hebburn.
Ashington failed to take advantage, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Horden.
Shotton climbed off the bottom with a 2-1 away win at Norton, Eddie Routledge and David Angell scoring for them..
Northallerton had a good 3-1 win at Seaham Red Star, with recent signing Andy Howarth amongst the goals. Thornaby are still unbeaten after putting four past Willington for the second time in three weeks, Jamie Clark scoring twice.
Evenwood won 2-1 at Easington, thanks to goals from Christian Dinsley and Martin Houlahan.
Penrith are still unbeaten, even though they were held to a goalless draw at home by Alnwick.
* Billingham Town, Esh Winning, West Auckland and Alnwick have all had three points deducted for fielding ineligible players, but Whitley Bay's case has been deferred.
Alnwick's deduction has put them bottom of Division Two.
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