Newly-promoted Newcastle Blue Star are the only First Division club with a 100 per cent record after their victory at Esh Winning - but general manager Bob Morton says they're taking nothing for granted.

Star have won four out of four, and they've signalled their intentions of challenging for the title by signing Dave Southern from Dunston, and today expect to complete the signing of former Hartlepool midfielder Jon Cullen from Sunderland Nissan.

"We're keeping our feet on the ground," said Morton. "We're not tipping ourselves for the title, but we'll compete for it. We've changed the team quite a bit and it will take a while to gel together. This is a hard competitive league."

Star took the lead when Michael Fenwick beat two men and then rounded the keeper, and they went further ahead through substitute Southern.

Esh pulled one back from the penalty spot through Kevin Hamilton.

Star are top with a better goal difference than Durham City, who have now won three successive league games, but they had to come from behind to beat West Auckland 2-1.

West took a deserved lead when Mattie Moffat dispossessed Durham defender Leon Ryan, and beat Marc Riches in goal. Durham levelled after 52 minutes when Paul Taylor fired home. Durham who got the winner on 80 minutes when former Darlington player Gary Pearson shot into the top corner.

Chester-le-Street were thumped 4-0 at Jarrow Roofing. Keith Hutchinson, Lee O'Donovan, Darryl Leach and David Fort on target.

Champions Dunston drew 1-1 draw at Billingham Synthonia. Dunston took the lead after ten minutes through Benn Thompson but Shaun Hope levelled with a header on 27 minutes.

Synners played the last 15 minutes with ten men after Christian Hanson was dismissed.

Tow Law's problems continued when they were beaten 3-0 at home by managerless West Allotment. David Potts scored first and he got the second from a rebound after his penalty was blocked by Lawyers keeper Andrew Spence.

Lawyers were down to ten men on 55 minutes when Ian Davison was red-carded for a foul on Dean Douglas, who scored another near the end.

Midfielder Stuart Niven was in charge of Tow Law, but it is uncertain if he will be choosing the team for the home game on tomorrow night against Bedlington.

Shildon picked up a useful point in a drab goalless draw with Morpeth. Brian Wood missed the best chance, side footing wide from ten yards.

Brandon are still without a point after losing 2-0 at home to Washington Nissan. Gavin Cogdon netted both goals.

Ashington were beaten 2-1 at home by another managerless club, Newcastle Benfield.

Bedlington drew 0-0 against Whitley Bay. The visitors had the edge on chances and had a goal by Adam Johnston disallowed for offside, while Paul Robinson hit the woodwork.

Consett are now second in the Second Division after they won 3-1 at Washington.

Stephen Brown gave Consett the lead when he slotted in from ten yards, but Washington soon levelled when Gary Messer scored.

Gary Forbes and Kraig Wilkinson combined well to set up new signing Mark Patterson to score the second, and then some bad defending allowed Forbes to get the third.

Seaham Red Star are still top after they drew 1-1 with Ryton.

The visitors led for most of the game thanks to a goal from Craig Burke, his sixth of the season, but Seaham equalised ten minutes from the end with a header by Robbie Swan.

Crook suffered a 1-0 defeat to Hebburn. Crook played for the second half with ten men, after defender Paul Stout was dismissed for two yellows, following a penalty award, which Simon Hall saved in the Crook goal. Jamie Elrington got Hebburn's winner.

Northallerton lost 4-1 at home to Prudhoe. They led with a first half goal by Carl Charlton, but then collapsed in the last 20 minutes. Mark Drysdale, Lee Telfer, Steve Mason and Marc Nixon scored.

North Shields won their derby at South Shields 3-1 and Guisborough picked up their first point of the season after drawing 1-1 at home to Norton.

Norton took the lead with a 25 yarder by Tyson Masters, his fourth goal of the season, but Guisborough fought back and levelled with a goal by Sean Joseph.

Whickham won their first game of the season, winning 5-2 at Peterlee. Ian Robson scored a hat trick, with Paul Cavanagh and Graham Jackson getting the others. Jason Jones and Craig Jones replied.