Billingham Town hammered their neighbours Billingham Synthonia 8-2 on a prolific day for the top three clubs in the ANL First Division.

Town, who are second, went five goals up in the first 25 minutes against the demoralised Synners. Nathan Jameson scored after three minutes, with Chris Emms scoring a minute later. John McKie, Steve Flockett and David Abel put Town 5-0 up at half-time.

David Wells and Neil Campbell pulled goals back for Synners, but Town soon took control again and Jamie Magowan, Michael Jameson and Emms completed the rout.

League leaders Sunderland Nissan won 5-1 at Jarrow Roofing. Stephen Capper put them in front early on from the edge of the box, and after the break Nissan opened up. Gavin Cogdon scored from a Johnny Butler cross, then Butler scored with a diving header from a Capper cross. Capper then supplied the crosses for Butler and Andy Stephenson to score further goals. Craig Nelson pulled an injury time goal back for Roofing.

Shildon stay third after beating West Auckland 3-0. Stuart Niven gave them the lead with a well- placed free kick after seven minutes, and after Andy Jennings had a shot cleared off the West line and Lee Ellison missed a good chance at the other end, Shildon went further ahead after half-time when Adam Emson heade home from a corner. Emson then wrapped up the points with a lob for his 17th league goal of the season.

Dunston are up to fourth thanks to a 2-1 win at Newcastle Blue Star, who led through a fifth minute goal from Craig Tate. Star midfielder Ian Dixon was then dismissed for a foul, and Dunston took advantage to equalise on 70 minutes through Graeme Armstrong, then won it with an 80th minute goal by Michael Laws.

Darlington RA lost 2-1 at home to Northallerton. Craig Skelton pounced on a poor back pass and set up recent signing Craig Toman to give Northallerton the lead, then Karl Charlton crossed perfectly for Steve Cochrane to volley the second on the hour. Michael Carter pulled a late goal back.

Durham City won for the first time in four games by beating Chester-le-Street 2-1. Tommy English volleyed them in front on ten minutes, and they went 2-0 on 40 minutes when Micky Chilton scored from an Anthony Chapman pass. Chester improved in the second half, but only pulled one goal back through Mark Anderson.

Consett moved into seventh by beating Horden 1-0, Michael Mackay scoring from 15 yards after 27 minutes. Horden defended well for the rest of the game.

Ten-man Tow Law beat Bishop Auckland 2-0 at Ironworks Road. Derek Waters set up Rob Huntley to put them in the lead after 15 minutes, but they were reduced to ten men on 50 minutes when James Huntley was red carded for a foul. However, Lawyers were still the better side and clinched the points seven minutes from the end with a shot by Andy Thompson from the edge of the box.

Bottom club Bedlington drew 1-1 with Ashington. The visitors took the lead through Ian Herron, but John Milner equalised from a Jamie McClen cross.

Second division leaders South Shields suffered a shock defeat, losing 2-0 at bottom club Sunderland RCA, for whom Dean Fox and Danny Haley scored.

Spennymoor moved to within one point of the leaders by beating Crook 3-2. New signing Adam Johnston put Moors into the lead from the spot, then headed the second from Darren Roulston's cross. New signing Stuart Campbell pulled one back for Crook from 40 yards, then Gary Mitchell finished off a good move for the equaliser. But Campbell was red carded for a foul, then late in the game a mistake by substitute Crook keeper Chris Moore allowed David Turner to tap in the winner.

Esh Winning manager Ray Gowan formally announced his departure from the club after they were thrashed 7-1 at home by his old club Brandon. Andrew Johnson (2), Lee Peachey (2), Alex Wilson, Stuart Thompson and Michael Fort all scored for Brandon, with Karl Turner replying.

Guisborough suffered a blow to their promotion hopes when they were beaten 2-0 at Marske in front of a crowd of over 500. Gary Hinchley netted a 16th minute penalty for Marske, and James Brodie-Myers got the second.

Thornaby drew 2-2 at Penrith after leading 2-0. John Ritchie scored twice for Thornaby with a deflected shot and a header, but Penrith hit back through Michael Reed and Wayne Robertson.

Stokesley are into eighth after a 2-0 win at Norton, both goals scored by Craig Johnson within three first half minutes.

North Shields scored three times in the second half to beat Alnwick 4-1, while Bruce Hogg and Paul Anthony set up Team Northumbria for their 2-1 home win over Ryton.