SPENNYMOOR manager Ken Houlahan has promised to make changes after his promotion chasers flopped 2-0 at Ryton.

Moors have dropped just two points at Brewery Field, but they have picked up only five points from six games on their travels.

"We badly need new players," he said. "I know what the problems are and my patience has run out with certain people.

"Our away form is poor because our defending is poor. The panic sets in when we play badly and feeds right through the team."

Ryton took the lead on 52 minutes when a defensive slip allowed Carl Piecha a clear run on goal, and he made no mistake. Five minutes later, Burke doubled Ryton's advantage.

In the first division, Brandon's problems deepened when they lost 6-1 at home to Shildon, for whom John Ryan scored four.

Bottom club Brandon, weakened by several non-appearances, were 5-0 down by half-time.

Ryan broke clear to open the scoring early on, before he finished off a good move for the second. He completed his hat-trick on the half hour mark and then set up Wayne Gredziak to score the fourth.

Ryan grabbed another before the interval to make it 5-0.

After the break Dean Wilson hit a sixth. Teenager Craig Hindmarsh scored Brandon's consolation. Brandon are hoping to appoint a new manager this week.

League leaders Bedlington are now unbeaten in their last 16 matches following a 3-2 away win at Dunston.

John Milner gave Bedlington a tenth minute lead from a corner, then Steve Preen blasted a second.

Dunston fought back within 20 minutes when Alex Benjamin converted a penalty and a minute later he got the equaliser.

But with two minutes left, Robbie Cockburn got the winner.

Newcastle Blue Star are still two points behind after a 2-0 win at Thornaby.

In the second half David Southern scored from 25 yards. He added a second in the last minute.

There is an eight point gap between the top two and Billingham Synthonia, who came from behind to beat West Auckland 2-1.

West took the lead when Dale Jardine beat John Jackson.

Craig Lake equalised with a header. A poor headed back pass by Michael Heckley allowed Colin Iley to run though and lob the keeper.

Durham City missed a chance to go third, losing 1-0 away at Jarrow.

Roofing's pressure paid off five minutes from the end, when Chow set up recent signing Trevor Ball.

Billingham Town lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle Benfield. Adam Scope scored early on for Benfield with a low shot.

Town went 2-0 down after 59 minutes when Alu Bangura scored. Jamie Clarke pulled a goal back.

A late goal by Chris Taylor gave third bottom Ashington a point at Chester-le-Street. Jonny Wightman broke clear and beat Andy Clark in the Ashington goal after 14 minutes.

Ashington levelled with five minutes left when Taylor scored.

Horden twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with visitors Tow Law.

Tow Law took the lead when Nicky Martin fired home.

Horden levelled just before half-time through Kevin Devine. But Lawyers went back into the lead on 58 minutes when Scott Emmerson scored. Horden again equalised through Devine from a free-kick.

Sunderland Nissan dropped into the bottom five after a 2-1 defeat at home to Whitley Bay.

The visitors took the lead on seven minutes when Nicky Evans scored, but Nissan levelled through Gavin Cogdon. However, Lee Kerr gave Whitley the points.

Second division leaders Consett stretched their winning run to 12 wins from 12 matches with a single goal win over Prudhoe at Belle Vue, Kraig Wilkinson scoring.

Andy Toman's first game in charge of bottom club Guisborough ended in a 2-1 home defeat by Washington, who now go second.

Guisborough trailed 1-0 at half-time to a Mark Drake effort, but fought back in the second half and levelled through Ray Woodhouse.

Washington recovered to pick up the points through Steve Burns.

Whickham's eight game unbeaten run was ended when they were beaten 4-1 at Northallerton. Northallerton took the lead when Dane Wilson headed in, then Steve Cochrane added a second.

Whickham pulled one back through Lee Innes just after the break, but Carl Chillingsworth made it 3-1 to Northallerton and then Cochrane wrapped it up with another strike in the last minute.

Seaham Red Star stay seventh after a 1-1 home draw with Penrith. Dan Broadley put Penrith into the lead, but Andy Jennings equalised for Seaham.

Charlie Bell won his first league game in his second stint as Marske manager when his team came back from a goal down to win 3-1 at South Shields.

Norton won 2-0 at North Shields, while Peterlee are still in the bottom three after a 2-1 home defeat by Hebburn.

Fourth bottom Kennek Ryhope CA picked up three valuable points with a 2-0 home win over second-bottom Alnwick.