Crook Town were within sight of their first league win of the season on Saturday - but West Auckland battled back to force a 3-3 draw.

However, Crook manager Dennis Pinkney wasn't too downhearted. "It was a shame we couldn't hold on, but it was a much better performance. Hopefully, that's the start of better things for us."

Crook took the lead after 21 minutes when former Ferryhill striker Anthony Simpson scored with a right foot shot, but West levelled through Neil Johnson from a Jonathan Milroy cross.

Crook regained the lead after 26 minutes when John Linighan scored from a corner, then just after the break, they went further ahead when Anthony Wear scored wit ha diving header.

David Bainbridge pulled one back with a header, and Simon Rogers equalised with a 35 yard free kick. Crook striker Chris Baxter hit a post late in the game.

Durham City are now joint top after winning 3-0 at Guisborough, with their keeper, Marc Riches, amongst the goals.

Durham defended well against the elements in the first half, and took the lead two minutes into the second period when Stuart Irvine crossed for Micky Taylor to head home his eighth goal for the club since signing a month ago.

Riches got the second after 62 minutes, with a clearance from his own area which flew into the Guisborough net on the wind.

Gavin Mudd made certain of the points when he scored from an Irvine corner.

Brandon came from behind to beat Newcastle Blue Star 3-2 in the last ten minutes. Andy Hurst fired in to put the Star in the lead after 10 minutes, but Micky Cunningham levelled for Brandon after 36 minutes.

The visitors looked in control when Warren Fisher volleyed home, but Cunningham levelled from the edge of the area, and David Johnson ran through for the winner with five minutes left.

Billingham Synthonia also made a recovery to beat third bottom Hebburn 3-2. David Butterfield opened the scoring for Hebburn with a good solo goal after eight minutes, but Synners levelled after 47 minutes with a Chris McFee header. Dean McGee volleyed Synners into the lead, then Andy Ripley got the third from a rebound. Brian Hill scored a late consolation for Hebburn.

Consett were another team to win after trailing, defeating Seaham Red Star 4-2.

Seaham led at half time. David Ross scored from a Steve Foster cross, then Tony Halliday equalised from a rebound on his return after injury.

Red Star went 2-1 ahead when Ross got his second from a Lee Adamson cross.

Seaham missed further chances to increase their lead and Consett took control in the second half.

Chris Hodgson cut in from the left to fire the equaliser, then he raced through and rounded the keeper to make it 3-2 with ten minutes left.

Halliday ran clear to wrap it up six minutes from the end.

Chester-le-Street are still in the bottom four after they lost 1-0 at home to Peterlee, John Outhwaite heading the only goal of the game after 11 minutes for the visitors.

Marske United beat Jarrow Roofing 4-1 at Mount Pleasant after scoring twice in the first ten minutes.

Darren Sankey was brought down and John Woods netted the penalty, then Paul Normanton added the second after his original shot was blocked.

Jarrow striker Paul Chow pulled a goal back with a header before half time, but then Sankey made it 3-1 after 59 minutes when he scored from ten yards, then he added another after a mistake in the Jarrow defence.

In the Second Division, Washington striker Steve Burns had a good day against Evenwood, scoring five in his side's 7-0 win, four of them in the first half hour.

Ashington are now clear leaders after winning 4-0 at bottom club Eppleton, because Thornaby-on-Tees were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Murton.

Shildon are now in seventh place after extending their unbeaten run to nine matches with a 2-1 win at Whickham.

Draw specialists Willington ended all square for the fifth time in the last six games, this time finishing 1-1 at Kennek Ryhope.

Esh Winning are now sixth after winning 3-1 at Alnwick while Norton won 3-2 at Prudhoe.