Darlington RA manager David Woodcock threw down the gauntlet to the other promotion chasers after his side took a tight grip on third place in the second division with an emphatic 4-0 win at Ryton.

The RA have improved steadily in their first season in the league, and they are now six points ahead of the pack as they start the promotion run in.

Woodcock said: "Our league position is beyond our wildest dreams. Over the last few games, we've started to look like a team that can get promoted. It's in our hands now. It's up to the chasing teams now to try and win their games in hand and catch us up."

RA got off to a great start when Michael Carter opened up the defence for Steve Johnson to run through and beat the Ryton keeper, and the same combination clicked again, Johnson running from halfway to score.

After Paul Freary hit the post, Carter headed the third just before half-time from a corner, and it was all over just after the break when Freary fired the fourth.

Thornaby's season has taken another twist in the first division when Neal Granycome returned to the club as manager after quitting a fortnight ago.

He is also working hard off the pitch to help the club carry out ground improvements before the March 31st deadline.

They have now lost six in a row after a 3-2 defeat at home to Morpeth.

The visitors took the lead when Chris Lynch diverted a Chris Rue cross into his own net, then Kevin Henderson scored.

Andy Harbron pulled one back, but Morpeth made it 3-1 with a Turner header from a free-kick. Neil Campbell pulled a goal back from close range in the dying minutes.

Bedlington's Marc Riches won the battle of the two goalkeeping brothers when his side beat Billingham Synthonia 1-0 at Welfare Park with ten men.

Paul Robinson opened the Synners defence for Gareth McAlindon to beat Gary Riches, and then brother Marc saved a penalty from Synners' Micky Dunwell. Robinson was dismissed for swearing, but Bedlington held on.

Billingham Town moved into fourth with a 2-1 home win over Chester-le-Street, thanks to a last minute goal.

Chris Smith fired Town into the lead after 19 minutes, and they wasted further chances to increase their lead before Chester levelled after 85 minutes when Robbie Draper scored from close range.

But Jamie Clarke got the winner when his shot took a deflection from ten yards.

West Auckland dropped a place but are still unbeaten in eight after a goalless draw at Horden.

Shildon are flirting with the relegation zone after they lost 4-0 at Whitley Bay. Mark Sheeran, Whitley's new signing from Bishop Auckland, gave his side the lead on the half-time whistle with a header, and within seconds of the restart Lee Kerr made it 2-0. Kevin Walton bagged two more.

Shildon are eight points clear of third bottom Ashington, who drew 1-1 with Durham City.

Ross Atkinson gave Ashington the lead on 18 minutes after Mark Campbell's effort was saved, but Gareth Bainbridge levelled for Durham with a shot from the edge of the box five minutes after half-time.

Sunderland Nissan are unbeaten in eight after a 1-1 draw at Dunston.

Steve Halliday put a penalty wide for Nissan before their defender Andy Reay put a Graeme Armstrong cross into his own net. Anthony Lund levelled.

The bottom two, Brandon and Esh Winning shared the points in a 2-2 draw. Esh were ahead twice in the game through Craig Coates and Nigel Bolton, but Barry Raper and Stuart Thompson levelled.

Jarrow Roofing climbed away from immediate danger with a 2-0 home win over West Allotment. Paul Chow set up Andy Allen for the first goal after 17 minutes, and Chow also provided the pass for former Darlington striker Craig Russell to score his fourth goal for the club.

The big game in the second division between the top two, Consett and Northallerton, was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Spennymoor are fourth after they beat Prudhoe 2-1 at the Brewery Field. Moors took the lead on 22 minutes when Martin Houlahan curled in a shot from just outside the box. Warren Byrne hit the post before Chris Lawther headed the second from Houlahan's corner kick before half-time. Michael Pitt pulled a late goal back for Prudhoe.

Norton still have slim promotion hopes after winning 3-1 at Alnwick. John Fielding and Tyson Masters gave them a two goal lead inside the first 12 minutes, and even though Ian Common pulled a goal back, Norton, who had Martin Thompson dismissed, scored a third through John Outhwaite late in the game.

Guisborough are out of the bottom two after they won their basement clash at Peterlee by 2-0. Debutant Anthony Hume put them in front, then Martin McGowan hit the second just before half-time.