Northallerton manager Paul Burton says that the Second Division promotion race hasn't been decided yet even though his side won 2-0 at Whickham on Saturday to move into second place.

Northallerton are looking good to be promoted with runaway leaders Consett following a run of run of 11 straight wins, but Burton is playing down his team's chances.

"We mustn't get carried away with what we've achieved in the last few weeks," he said . "Penrith can still get 81 points, so 82 must be our target - and we've only got 66 at the moment. It might come down to less than that, but we still have to keep working hard."

Northallerton will probably know a lot more this week, because after tonight's Craven Cup tie at Peterlee, they play leaders Consett on Wednesday night and third placed Darlington RA on Saturday.

Carl Chillingsworth opened the scoring for Northallerton on 25 minutes, heading in a cross from Jock Williams, but Northallerton keeper Sam Dobbs pulled off two good saves to keep them in front. Whickham also hit the bar, but Northallerton got a crucial second, Chillingsworth scoring his 25th league goal of the season from a Karl Charlton cross, and he also missed a good chance for his hat-trick.

Leaders Consett, meanwhile, reached a century of goals for the season when they won 5-0 at Prudhoe to keep them nine points clear and only seven points away from promotion.

Consett were 4-0 up by half-time. Michael Mackay set up Andrew Bulford to open the scoring against his old club, then Mark Patterson pulled the ball back for Carl Piecha to score the second.

Mackay then volleyed the third from the edge of the box, and before the break Kraig Wilkinson opened up the defence for Mark Patterson to slot home.

David Johnson and Mackay both hit the bar in the second half before Mackay grabbed his 21st league goal of the season. Nicky Richardson and Paul Hamilton of Prudhoe were sent off in the last ten minutes.

Third-placed Darlington RA's promotion hopes improved without them playing. Penrith, who represented a big threat, were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Seaham Red Star.

The Cumbrians took the lead with efforts by Ryan Errington and Andrew Douglas, but Michael Ford pulled one back with a header then John Toft fired the equaliser. Seaham's Glen Moan had a goal from a free-kick disallowed late in the game.

Third-bottom Guisborough also did the RA a favour by drawing 0-0 at Washington. The home side had most of the chances in the game, but Guisborough keeper Kevin Martin pulled off three good saves to give his side a valuable point.

In the first division, Sunderland Nissan are almost out of relegation danger thanks to a 2-1 win inspired by sub Gavin Cogdon at third-bottom Ashington.

The home side, who had won their previous four matches, looked as if they were on their way to another victory when Alex Lawson fired past Nissan keeper Paul Gilmore, but the game turned in Nissan's favour when Cogdon, who has been out with a hand injury, came on midway through the second half.

With ten minutes left, he levelled from a cross by Anthony Lund, and when he was brought down in the area by defender Darren Timmons following a good run, Lund tucked away the penalty.

West Allotment also lifted themselves away from trouble after a 5-3 win at Chester-le-Street, although they led 5-0 at one point.

Andy Watson put Allotment into the lead after 20 minutes, then Michael Dixon got the second from a pass by Andy Hay just before the break.

Hay grabbed the third from just after the restart, then David Potts made it 4-0 from another Hay pass.

Dixon made the game safe, before Chester launched a late revival. Andy Cuthbertson pulled one back with a header, Paul Richardson scored with a free-kick, and Phil Bell got another from a few yards.

West Auckland are up to third following a 3-1 home win over Esh Winning.

Dale Jardine gave West the lead after 20 minutes when he won possession from Esh defender Steve Ritchie, but Esh equalised with a low shot by Ian Ward.

Darren Kokes put West back into the lead from a pass by David Bayles, then Lee Ellison scored the goal of the game, a rasping 30 yarder into the top corner. Ellison has now scored 14 league goals for the season.

Whitley Bay easily beat bottom club Brandon 4-0 at Hillheads.

Former Darlington striker Mark Sheeran gave Whitley the lead with his seventh goal since signing for them last month, then Chris Bone got the second from close-range.

Sheeran scored from the rebound after Brian Smith hit the bar, then new signing Damon Robson crossed for Mark Minto to head the fourth.

In the other second division matches, improving Peterlee lifted themselves off the bottom with a 5-4 away win at Hebburn.

After going 2-0 up with a pair of goals by Ryan McCluskey, Hebburn hit back to lead 3-2 through Gary McCartney (two) and Owen Peterson.

Paul Robinson levelled for Peterlee, only for McCartney to make it 4-3 by half-time. But Peterlee kept their nerve in the second half, and Ian McDonagh equalised, and McCluskey scored a valuable winner.

Norton are pushing for a top six place after beating North Shields 4-1 at Station Road.

Veteran John Outhwaite fired them into an early lead, then Graeme Baverstock dribbled through to score the second. Stephen Roberts and Tyson Masters both scored within ten minutes of the restart, with Andy Bowman pulling one back for Shields.

Kennek Ryhope CA dropped to third-bottom after they were beaten 4-0 at Alnwick, for whom Mark Cockburn, James Swordy (two) and Neil Catlow scored.