Durham City produced their best performance under new manager Andy Gowens when they won 4-1 at Shildon's Dean Street on Saturday.

The victory comes at just the right time, as City last week indicated that they will seek promotion at the end of the season to the UniBond League and need to finish in the top two.

Gowens said: "That was the best so far. It was a very good all round performance, and we're getting to where we want to be. We could have scored a few more."

City took the lead after 20 minutes when a shot by Steve Richardson was deflected in, then former Darlington player Michael Coghlan curled in a free-kick for the second.

Shildon had defender Tom Ptak sent-off, but they still pulled a goal back after 80 minutes through Brian Wood, but Richardson soon restored Durham's two goal lead when he cut in and fired home with the help of a deflection.

Richardson created the fourth, when his shot was blocked and it fell for Chris Scott to sidefoot in.

Meanwhile, City are maintaining that they haven't played an ineligible player in the Durham Challenge Cup, and that the player in question, Steve Richardson, was signed more than seven days before the day set aside for the first round.

Brandon, with Steve Howey in charge, are still bottom of the table after they lost 4-1 at West Allotment.

The visitors got off to a bad start, when Andy Hay and Ben Dawson both scored with headers in the opening ten minutes, but Lee Coldridge pulled a goal back midway through the half after a mistake by the Allotment keeper .

Dean Douglas made it 3-1 from close range on 58 minutes, and David Potts wrapped it up with a minute left.

Esh Winning are second bottom after they lost 2-0 at Horden. Kevin Devine fired Horden into the lead on 19 minutes and then he was on target again just on the hour.

Horden boss Alan Robinson missed the game to take in possible transfer targets.

Second placed Newcastle Blue Star were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Tow Law, and are now five points behind leaders Bedlington.

The Star got off to a great start when Stuart Irvine put them in front after just a few minutes - his first league goal for the club since his recent move - and they missed a couple of chances through Dave Southern and Irvine to increase their lead.

But Lawyers bounced back in the second half, and levelled when Gary Ankers crossed for Scott Emmerson to score with a header, and also had a penalty claim turned down.

In the second division, promotion chasing Washington were held to a goalless draw at third bottom Kennek Ryhope CA, who have lost just three times in their last eleven league and cup games.

Bottom club Guisborough nearly caused a shock at Northallerton before going down 2-1, leaving them without a win in the league.

Guisborough took a half-time lead when Ray Woodhouse pounced on a mistake by Northallerton keeper Sam Dobbs, but they were reduced to ten men when Matthew Cox was shown his second yellow.

Simon Kasonali levelled from the penalty spot after a foul on Ross Diamond, then Carl Chillingsworth got the winner ten minutes from the end after Guisborough had another man, Callum Revely, sent off.

South Shields moved up a place by beating Ryton 2-1. Stephen Ashton and Paul Terrell scored for Shields, with David Tremble replying for Ryton.

Hebburn and North Shields drew 2-2.

Chris McDonald put Hebburn into the lead, but Paul Gibbs hit back with two for Shields.

Jamie Elrington secured a point for Hebburn in the second half.

Billingham Town earned a home tie against Bishop Auckland in the last 16 of the Durham Challenge Cup when they won 3-1 at Annfield Plain.

David Turner put Town into the lead and after John Moore levelled for Plain, Jamie Clarke, who recently turned down a move to Gateshead, scored twice for Town.