Disillusioned Darlington RA manager David Woodcock is facing some tough decisions after his side lost 4-2 at home to Guisborough.

"I'm going to think very deeply about what to do next," he said. "It's obvious that after we had high hopes at the start of the season with the players we brought in that things aren't right at the moment.

"It might be time to try something new - I feel as if I'm banging my head off a brick wall at the moment."

Guisborough, second in the table, kept their unbeaten record going when Carl Chillingsworth headed them in front, then Craig Skelton got the second with a low shot. Tom Ptak pulled a goal back for the RA, but Steve Cochrane turned the ball home for 3-1. Neil Tarrant put the RA back into the game, but David Goodchild made sure with a header.

In the first division, Bishop Auckland enjoyed a 4-1 win at West Allotment.

Bryan Stewart put Bishops in front with a header on 16 minutes, but former Bishops player Michael Fenwick equalised on the half hour.

Bishops were much in the second half, and Gavin Parkin headed them back into the lead from a Joe Fairish cross on 52 minutes. Debutant Ben Jackson made it 3-1 with a deflected shot, and teenager Darren Richardson ran through and scored near the end.

Bishops assistant manager Steve Howey is poised to play at Billingham Synthonia on Wednesday.

Leaders Whitley Bay transferred striker Mark Sheeran to Newcastle Benfield on Thursday, and he scored the only goal of the game for his new club against his old ten minutes from the end.

Ashington collected only their second point of the season when they drew 0-0 at Billingham Synthonia. Ashington keeper Paul Simpson pulled off three good saves in the first half as his side defended in depth.

West Auckland failed to get the boost they wanted ahead of this week's FA cup tie when they lost 1-0 at home to Morpeth. Garry Barnes missed chances before Morpeth got the winner after 24 minutes when Stephen Young scored with a 25 yarder.

In the other second division matches, Crook, under new management pair Peter Dixon and Robin Falcus lost 3-2 to North Shields. Dan Olusaga, one of seven new signings in the Crook side scored, but Shields hit back with goals by Aaron Robertson and Roy Gordon.

Darren Kokes levelled in the second half, but David Henderson got the winner.

Leaders Birtley returned to winning ways with a 1-0 triumph at Team Northumbria, even though they played the last half hour with nine men after James Kesterton and Shaun McAvoy were sent off. Andrew Soulsby got the winner from the penalty spot.

Norton increased Brandon's misery when they hammered them 8-0, the highest score in the league this season. Norton never looked back after scoring in the third minute and had seven different players on the scoresheet - Danny Hannafin (2), Marcus Laing, Graeme Baverstock, Stephen Roberts, Craig Lake, Nathan Mulligan and Jamie Dawson.

South Shields were held to a 2-2 home draw by Horden. Chris Feasey and Lee O'Donovan in turn put Shields in front, but Darren Atkinson and Jonathan Monaghan equalised.

Ryton beat Whickham 5-1. Ben Pollock, Andy Bulford, Marc Walton and Dale Burrell (2) scored for Ryton, with Ian Cavanagh replying. Esh Winning dropped to fourth bottom because of a 1-0 home defeat by Penrith.

Sunderland RCA are third bottom after they were beaten 3-1 at home by Prudhoe, for whom David Potts, Nicky Evans and Simon Reay scored. James Dickinson replied for the RCA.

Newcastle Blue Star must replay in the FA Trophy, drawing 1-1 at Woodley Sports, Dean Douglas scoring their goal.

In the UniBond League Premier Division, Gateshead lost their unbeaten record when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Ilkeston, Wayne Phillips putting them in front at one point.