Tow Law took a big step towards first division safety when they came back from two goals down to beat leaders Newcastle Blue Star.

Lawyers became only the third team to beat the leaders this season and manager Graeme Clark hailed his side's commitment.

He said: "I wish that we could play the top five every week because we seem to play better against them. That's four points we've taken off the Star this season.

"At half-time, I challenged the players to fight back into the game, and they responded magnificently."

The Star looked well on their way to victory when a poor back pass by Andy Martin allowed Dave Southern to score his 24th league goal of the season, and then Steve Salvin won possession and fired the second from 20 yards.

Lawyers pulled a goal back before half-time when Andy Thompson crossed and Scott Emmerson scored.

The second half started well for Lawyers, when Lee Hamilton finished off a good move, and their pressure paid off on 71 minutes Hamilton got the winner, his shot going in off the post.

Lawyers still aren't safe from relegation because third bottom Ashington beat Jarrow Roofing 3-1.

Former Sunderland striker Craig Russell gave Roofing an early lead with a free-kick, and Ross Atkinson equalised with a shot from the edge of the box on the half hour. Mark Campbell put them ahead and Alex Lawson wrapped up the points from the penalty spot.

Esh Winning are relegated after they lost 6-2 at Sunderland Nissan.

Nissan striker Gavin Cogdon put them in front from a Kevin Shoulder pass, then he got his 17th league goal of the season when he outpaced the defence and beat Esh keeper Andrew Spence.

Steve Stewart got the third from a Steve Halliday pass before Esh pulled one back through Ian Bickerstaffe.

Nissan keeper Keith Finch saved a penalty from Craig Coates. David Tait made it 4-1 with a header, and even though Lee Suddes scored for Esh from another penalty, Tait dribbled through for the fifth, and Shoulder in the sixth.

Billingham Synthonia held on to second place with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle Benfield. Adam Scope gave Benfield an early lead, but Synners equalised through David Wells from a Neil Radigan free-kick.

Bedlington are in third after a 3-0 home win over Thornaby, who haven't won now in 12 matches.

Bedlington scored all their goals in the first half through Steve Preen (2) and Keith Douglas.

West Auckland's ten match unbeaten run came to an end when they were soundly beaten 4-1 at Billingham Town, who overtake them into fourth place.

Jamie Clarke side-footed in from six yards to give Billingham the lead, before adding his second from a Steve Huggins pass early in the second half.

Steve Flockett crossed for David Turner to head the third, and even though West pulled one back through Dale Jardine from a David Bayles assist with ten minutes left, Clarke scored his 23rd league goal of the season from a long clearance by Darren Collier.

Dunston are now sixth after a 3-2 win at Chester-le-Street, who nearly snatched a point after being two goals down at one stage.

Striker Alex Benjamin struck from a Graeme Armstrong cross to give Dunston an early lead, before Armstrong scored the second from a Micky Farrey pass.

Armstrong then scored his 27th of the season from the spot to make it 3-0 after Benajmin was fouled, before Chester launched a late revival, with Phil Bell scoring twice.

Durham City manager Andy Gowens returned to his old club Whitley Bay and came away with a 1-0 win, but City had new keeper Stuart Arkle to thank for victory.

Arkle, signed just before the game, pulled off several good saves before Durham's Gareth Bainbridge finished off a good move for their winner just before half time.

Horden's game with Morpeth was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

In the second division, Darlington RA are second after a last gasp goal gave them a 2-1 win at much improved South Shields.

Paul Freary gave the RA the lead on the half hour with a good finish, but battling Shields thought they'd snatched a point when David Scorer headed in with a minute left.

But deep into stoppage time, Steve Johnson broke clear, and his blocked shot looped over the line.

Consett are 11 points clear at the top after a 2-2 draw at Marske.

A poor back pass was picked up by Darren Sankey to give Marske a half-time lead, but Consett equalised with a good run and shot by Gary Ormston.

Sankey restored Marske's lead from an Andrew Banks pass, but Ormston again ran through to equalise for the second time.

Spennymoor turned around a 2-1 half-time deficit against Kennek Ryhope CA to win 4-2.

Martin Houlahan put Moors in front with a low shot, but Ryhope equalised when Spennymoor defender Darren Griffiths deflected a cross from Craig Ellison into his own net, and then went in front when Willie Crew scored from a long clearance.

Moors missed several chances to equalise before Martin Houlahan scored on 75 minutes following a defensive mistake before substitute Wayne Edgcumbe scored from a Martin Houlahan cross. Warren Byrne scored his 30th league goal of the season with a shot on the turn.

Norton look out of the race because of a 3-2 home defeat by Hebburn.

Guisborough's recent optimism was punctured after of a 4-0 defeat at North Shields.

The misery of bottom club Peterlee continued as they were beaten 4-0 at Penrith, who scored through Dan Broadley (2), Mark Jones and Andy Douglas.