West Auckland virtually conceded the title to Bedlington after they threw away a two goal lead at home to Consett on Saturday.

West, 11 points behind the leaders in second place before the game, have dropped five points in the past week and must now content themselves with the race for the runners-up spot.

Manager Alan Oliver said after the game: "We snatched a draw from the jaws of victory. We took our foot off the pedal and conceded two sloppy goals - and that is very costly for us."

West took the lead after nine minutes when Wayne Nicholson headed in a Ray Stanger free kick, and they went further ahead after 47 minutes when Dean Smithson controlled a right wing cross from Paul Stout and slotted in.

But the game turned when Consett introduced two substitutes. One of them, Ian Davison, hit the post with a free kick and Neil Lowdon followed up, then Tony Halliday grabbed the equaliser, after West failed to clear a left wing cross, and stretch Consett's unbeaten run in the league to ten games.

Bedlington are on the verge of their fifth successive league title after they beat Billingham Synthonia 3-2.

John Milner opened the scoring after just two minutes from a Tony Chapman cross, and they went 2-0 up before the tenth minute when Dean Gibb fired in a Robbie Cockburn cross.

But Synners pulled one back after 12 minutes, when Tommy Marron scored from a few yards after Bedlington keeper Gareth Powell dropped a corner.

Bedlington quickly made it 3-1 when Christian Graham headed in a Phil Hildreth cross, but Synners made a game of it in the second half when Tony Woods raced through.

Dunston are in third place after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Tow Law.

Lee Innes made no mistake after 39 minutes when Scott Nicholson set him up from a right wing cross.

Paul Hogg levelled from an Alu Bangura free-kick just after the restart, then both sides had chances to win the game, Lee Innes going closest but his effort came back off the bar.

Durham City still have an outside chance of the title after they beat Washington 4-0 at New Ferens Park.

However, they struggled in the first half until Lee Ludlow scored his 40th goal in as many games five minutes before the break, a penalty after he had been brought down.

Stuart Irvine cut in from the right to fire a shot into the top corner for the second just on half time, and Durham picked up their momentum after half time.

Michael Canavan turned in a rebound for the third, then Micky Taylor got the fourth from a Keith Douglas cross.

Jarrow Roofing are now six points above the relegation zone after they beat Guisborough 2-1.

Craig Nelson gave them the lead from the spot after Craig Stoker was fouled after 23 minutes, but Jamie Clark levelled with a long range effort. However, Clark then had a penalty awarded for handball by Micky Irving saved by Roofing keeper Andy Hoggarth just before the break.

Roofing recovered in the second half, and Nelson grabbed the winner after 75 minutes when he scored from close range.

Morpeth are still in trouble after they lost 1-0 at Peterlee.

Alan Martin hit the bar for Peterlee, who were forced to use two subs early in the game, and the winner came after 65 minutes when Lee Crosby's indirect free kick was deflected past Morpeth keeper Neil Fairbairn.

Morpeth dropped into the bottom three because Thornaby drew 0-0 in their local derby at Billingham Town.

Town had most of the chances in the game. Paul Rowntree missed a penalty, and headed another chance over the bar, while in the last minute Stuart Jackson missed from close range.

Bottom club Seaham Red Star are still alive and kicking after they won 3-2 at Chester-le-Street.

The home side took the lead when Gary Shields scored from a Martin Bowes cross, but Seaham's recent signing, 17-year-old John Harrison, equalised with a powerful shot on the turn.

He put them into the lead with a header after Michael Dibie beat two men, and then Dibie fired the third after a good run.

Martin Bowes pulled a late goal back for Chester.

Brandon bounced back from their midweek drubbing to beat Ashington 2-1.

Steve Sinclair gave the visitors the lead after 11 minutes when Brandon keeper Graham Waind failed to gather a cross, and Sinclair turned the ball in, but Brandon levelled when Steve Huggins hit a powerful 25-yard drive.

Ashington defender Lee Anderson was dismissed for a professional foul, and Huggins scored from the free kick on the half hour mark. But despite playing with ten men, Ashington nearly scored again, and had two efforts cleared off the line.

In the second division, Esh Winning are now top after they thrashed Hebburn 7-0.

Gary Messer scored three of the goals, while the previous top two, Penrith and Shildon, were both sidelined because their matches were postponed. Prudhoe set a club record for the Northern League by hammering Norton 10-1, six of their goals coming in the second half.

Prudhoe's hero was Marc Nash, who scored five, and only four points cover the top five clubs, because Easington won 2-0 at Evenwood with goals from Tony Hanson and Vic Holt.

Washington Nissan are still in with a shout after they won 2-1 at Kennek Ryhope CA, David Burt scoring both goals. Horden were also amongst the goals, scoring six at Whickham, former Hartlepool player Gus DiLella scoring twice. Bottom club Shotton picked up only their sixth point of the season when they drew 1-1 with Murton. Crook won their local derby against Willington by 3-1.