Newcastle Blue Star manager Tony Lee believes the title race is far from over after his side went seven points clear at the top.

The Star continued their impressive home form with a 5-1 home win over Chester-le-Street, taking their tally to 22 goals in the last four home games.

Lee, who guided Billingham Synthonia to the title 16 years ago, said: "We might be title favourites, but we're not title winners.

"It is far from over. We could lose two games and the pack might catch us up. There is a hell of a long way to go yet."

The Star closed the game up in the first half hour, when Ray Booth beat Paul Newton.

They went further ahead on 20 minutes when the referee ruled that Paul Richardson handled and David Southern scored his 16th league goal of the season from the spot.

Booth made it 3-0 after Newton dropped a cross from Anth McStea, then he completed his hat- trick from a Southern cross.

Jonny Wightman pulled one back for Chester from the spot following a foul by Salvin, but David Colvin soon made it 5-1 when he scored direct from a right wing corner.

Billingham Synthonia leapfrogged Bedlington into second after beating Sunderland Nissan.

Synners took the lead on the hour when Nissan midfielder Jonny Butler turned a Neil Radigan header into his own net. Steve Halliday almost equalised in the last minute, but Riches saved well.

Durham's woes continued when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Billingham Town, which means that they haven't scored a goal at home since late October.

City's Michael Fenwick deflected two goalbound efforts from teammates wide in the first 20 minutes, but Town took the lead on 37 minutes when Stephen Flockett picked up a long ball from John McKie, beat his marker, and scored from a tight angle.

It was 2-0 when Steve Huggins found Robbie Hutchinson, who turned quickly and fired past Craig Shields, and they could have added further goals, but Hutchinson was just off target twice.

Horden won their second game inside four days, 3-0 at Jarrow Roofing.

They took the lead on 27 minutes when Lee Ure scored from a Lee Dixon cross and beat Andy Hoggeth, and he made it 2-0 on 81 minutes when he scored from a Stuart Brightwell cross.

Anthony Dobell then made it 3-0 from a Darren Atkinson pass.

Ashington's seven-game unbeaten run came to an end when they were easily beaten 5-1 at West Allotment.

They went in front on 21 minutes when a shot from David Potts was blocked, but Andy Hay scored from the rebound.

Paul Wilary hit the post, but he scored the second with a deflected shot from 25 yards.

Michael Dixon got the third with a shot on the turn, and even though Mark Rasmussen headed into his own goal to give Ashington some hope, Dixon pounced on some poor defending for the fourth.

Luke Parkinson fired another in the last minute.

Ashington stay third bottom, nine points ahead of Esh Winning who lost 3-0 at Whitley Bay. The home side had the better of the chances and took the lead when Brian Rowe beat new Esh keeper, Andrew Spence, from a Tony Chapman free kick.

Esh hit the bar through Ian Ward and Whitley keeper Terry Burke pulled off two good saves before they made the game safe on 76 minutes when Lee Kerr scored from a Chapman cross.

In the closing minutes, Whitley sub Mark Minto made it 3-0 with a low shot.

Whitley are now unbeaten in their last 11 league games, while Esh haven't won in their last seven.

Only three games took place in the second division.

Guisborough missed a chance to climb off the bottom after they lost 3-2 at fellow strugglers Alnwick.

Alnwick took an early lead with a Stuart Marshall lob, but Guisborough hit back when Alnwick defender Ross Young put the ball into his own net.

It was looking good for Guisborough when Steve Keenan got another from close range, but James Jeffrey levelled for Alnwick from 25 yards and James Swordy got the winner with a tap in.

Alnwick are going to have three points deducted by the league for fielding an ineligible player.

Promotion chasing Northallerton led 2-0 at Marske with just ten minutes left, but drew 2-2.

They took the lead when Dominic Gamble scored with a header following a good run by Graeme Williams, and they went 2-0 up by the half hour mark when Ross Diamond was fouled in the penalty area and Simon Kasonali scored from the spot.

Micky Ward, one of three new signings by Marske, was sent off in the second half for a foul but the ten men battled back well and pulled a goal back with a header by Darren Sankey, on his return to the club.

Marske piled on the pressure for an equaliser and they got it in the last minute when David Onions scored after hesitation by Northallerton keeper Sam Dobbs.

Seaham's promotion challenge suffered another blow when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Kennek Ryhope CA.

Simon Andrews gave Ryhope the lead, but Seaham missed some good chances to equalise before they finally broke through with just a couple of minutes left with a strike by Willie Crew.