Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe admitted that his side's 3-2 victory at Chester-le-Street on Saturday was "tarnished".
Brandon led 3-0 at one stage, but then Lindoe had to endure a nervous last 15 minutes as Chester fought back.
"The win was tarnished," said Lindoe. "We played well in the second half to go 3-0 up, then we nearly paid the penalty for switching off.
"We could easily have come off with just a draw."
They took the lead after 43 minutes when Mark Patterson set up Gary Clarke to fire home, then Chester defender Paul Cooke deflected a long ball from Andy Cunningham past his own keeper for the second.
Andy Purvis made it 3-0 on the hour, when he beat two defenders and slotted the ball past Chester keeper Lenny French.
Greg Bainbridge pulled a goal back from a long throw, and with five minutes left Gary Shields got another.
Tow Law moved up the table with an excellent 5-0 home win over Jarrow Roofing.
The Lawyers never looked back after going two goals up in the first ten minutes. Andy McKenna scored from a Keith Moorhead free kick, and after Lee Innes hit the bar, Dave Berry headed a Marc Eccles cross into his own net.
Jarrow keeper Dave Moore pulled off a couple of good saves, but then he was beaten by a Moorhead free kick before half-time.
Micky Bailey converted a penalty after 61 minutes, and Francis Jones scored from a Nigel Bolton pass.
Crook are still without a win after they lost 2-0 at home to Peterlee.
The visitors took the lead after 41 minutes when Vic Holt scored, and after Crook had two goals ruled out, Chris Creamer grabbed the second.
Billingham Synthonia came from behind to beat Guisborough 3-2 at Central Avenue.
Darren Mowbray headed Guisborough in front from a Michael Todd cross, but Tony Wood fired an equaliser for Synners.
However, Mowbray got his second from the penalty spot before half-time.
Synners levelled again through Dave Connor just after half-time, then Connor snapped up a rebound for the winner.
In the second division, Shotton had their first win of the season 2-0 at Willington thanks to goals from David Christie and Dave Beeston.
Eppleton, under new manager Neil Hixon, had a good 0-0 draw at Whickham.
South Shields needed a late goal from Ben Ryan to give them a draw with Penrith.
Murton had a good 5-0 win at Evenwood.
Division two summary: Evenwood 0 Murton 5 (King, Donnelly, Buxted, Best, Hardy), South Shields 1(Ryan) Penrith 1 (Curry),Whickham 0 Eppleton 0, Willington 0 Shotton 2 (Christie, Beeston).
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