Bedlington bounced back to form with a 6-1 thrashing of Morpeth on Bank Holiday Monday.
The champions lost their first two matches, but they picked up six points from the weekend after beating Peterlee 2-1 on Saturday.
They led 4-0 at half time, with goals from Tony Chapman (2) Alex Benjamin and Jimmy Harmison, and after Colin Lawton pulled a goal back, Robbie Cockburn and Benjamin added further goals.
The shock result of the day was Peterlee's 3-2 win at Dunston.
Anthony Jewson put them headed them in front, with Ben Hall scoring two more to make it 3-0 by the hour mark.
Paul Hogg and Chris Keegans pulled two goals back for Dunston, who couldn't force the equaliser in the closing minutes.
Marske United are pointless after they lost 4-1 at Billingahm Synthonia.
Owen McGee set up David Baker for the opener after 18 minutes, but John Woods equalised from a Greg Booth free kick after 39 minutes.
Lee Flanagan restored Synners' lead after 71 minutes, then Tommy Marram got another from a David Wells free kick. Ben Roberts rounded off the scoring near the end.
Guisborough are still looking for their first win after they lost 2-1 at home to Billingahm Town.
Guisborough hit the woodwork before their former player Robbie Hutchinson set up Paul Rowntree for the opener, then Hutchinson himself got the second in a goalmouth scramble.
Darren Mowbray pulled a goal back for Guisborough late in the second half.
West Auckland won 2-0 at new boys Washington.
They took the lead after 25 minutes when Wayne Nicholson scored from a cross by Mark Wheldon, then Nicholson got his second following a free kick four minutes from time.
Thornaby lost their unbeaten record when they lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle Blue Star, the only goal coming just ten minutes from the end when Graeme McDonald scored in a goalmouth scramble.
Durham City are the new leaders after they beat Chester-le-Street 2-1.
They took a fifth minute lead when Stuart Brightwell scored from a Wayne Edgcumbe cross, then Edgcumbe provided another cross for Lee Ludlow to score the second after 16 minutes.
Chester improved in the second half, and Stephen Carter scored from a tight angle.
Chester boss Paul Bryson quit after the game and has since signed as a player for Wearside League Birtley Town.
Brandon are second after they beat Jarrow Roofing 3-0.
Andy Burton put them into the lead from a Micky Cunningham free kick, and Cunningham got the second from a Anthony McStea pass.
Steve Huggins rounded off the scoring with a deflected shot near the end.
Seaham Red Star are still without a win after they were beaten 3-0 at home by Consett, for whom Chris McGinn, Chris Hodgson and Gary Nicholson scored. Seaham hit the bar three times in the game.
Whitley Bay won 3-0 at Ashington, with goals from Kevin Walton (2) and Steve Cuggy.
In the second division, Shildon had a good 4-0 home win over Horden.
They took the lead after five minutes when John Outhwaite scored from a pass by Nigel Bolton, then Danny Richmond cut in from the wing to score the second after 25 minutes.
Dale White scored two more in the second half, both from passes by Lee Hainsworth.
Newcomers Washington Nissan had an excellent 5-1 win over Esh Winning. Paul Conlon (2), Phil Oliver, Michael Heckley and Owen Peterson scored for Nissan, with Gary Messer replying.
Prudhoe won 2-0 at Kennek Ryhope, with an own goal by Carl Stoker less than ten seconds after half time, with Tommy McAlindon getting the second three minutes later.
Northallerton beat Norton 2-1. Micky Pugh put them in the lead from 30 yards after 13 minutes, then Neil Preston added a second just on half time. Anthony Roberts pulled a goal back from the spot after 62 minutes.
Penrith are still unbeaten after they thrashed Murton 7-1.
Eppleton beat Whickham 1-0 thanks to a first half goal by Ray Proctor.
Willington lost 4-2 at home to Easington, who took the lead through Tony Hanson. Debutant Chris Taylor equalised, but Paul Geraldie (penalty) and Gary Errington put Easington 3-1 up. Paul Gibbs pulled a goal back, but Steve Salvin made sure.
On Tuesday night, Evenwood had a 4-0 home win over Hebburn. Anthony Hutton set them on their way with a first half goal, and he added a second after the break. Ross Murray and Stuart Murray scored the other goals.
South Shields were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Alnwick, despite taking the lead with a Dave Tremble header after 13 minutes.
Paul Yeadon finished off a long ball for Alnwick's equaliser after 55 minutes to give them their first point of the season
On Wednesday night, Crook beat Shotton 3-0, after taking the lead after just 50 seconds through Trevor Ball, recently signed from Willington. Graham Curry and Martin Blythe added further goals before half time, but Crook had Michael Sutcliffe dismissed for a foul in the second half
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