WEST Auckland manager Wilf Constantine believes that his side is too good to go down after they claimed their first league win of the season – 4-2 against Horden on Saturday.

West have been stuck in the bottom three all season, but have shown signs of a revival under new manager Constantine.

“The players have got much more confidence than they had a month ago,” he said.

“Even though we threw victory away last week at Ashington, we’re scoring plenty of goals and the defence isn’t making as many mistakes. I was worried when we were 3- 2 up, but we defended well after that.”

West took the lead when Stuart Banks and Steve Cochrane combined to set up David Manson to score from the edge of the box. They got a second when Banks beat three men and gave Manson the chance to fire the second.

Horden’s Darren Atkinson missed a penalty but then pulled a goal back through Craig Hubbard, but West went 3-1 in the lead when Banks found the top corner from an Ian Maddison pass. Hubbard again replied for Horden from close range, but Manson burst through and completed his hat trick.

The top of the table game between Spennymoor and Whitley Bay this Saturday looks even more appetising now after both teams won.

Moors, who gave midfielder Chris Emms his debut after signing him from Harrogate Town, won 4-1 at Esh Winning.

They took the lead when Jamie Clarke headed in a corner, then John Toft volleyed the second from the edge of the box from a Steve Capper cross.

Keith Graydon scored his ninth league goal of the season from 25 yards for the third, then Toft added another from a Chris Lawther pass.

Esh pulled a goal back in the last minute through John Ryan from a rebound. Moors hope to sign keeper Craig Turns from Blyth Spartans.

Whitley Bay passed a half century of goals by thumping Chester-le-Street 5-1 at Hillheads, Robbie Draper scoring for Chester.

Dunston striker Andy Bulford scored all five of his side’s goals to beat Tow Law 5-0 – the first player in the league to do so for two years.

Ashington are now fourth after they won 2-0 at Billingham Synthonia. Colin Myers put one over his old Brandon manager, Kenny Lindoe, when Bishop Auckland beat Consett 3-0 at Belle Vue.

Bishops missed a couple of chances before Adam Emson ran though and scored from a flick on by Tyson Masters.

Bishops went 2-0 up when Emson ran through hand was pulled down by Consett keeper Dan Staples, so Steve Salvin scored from the spot.

The referee decided not to red card the keeper following that challenge, but he had no option other than to send him for an nearly bath when he pulled Emson down again a few minutes later, and Salvin again converted.

Shildon won their ninth successive game by winning 3- 0 at Norton. They took the lead just on half time when Warren Byrne was brought down by Norton keeper James Briggs, and Byrne scored from the spot.

Andy Johnson got Shildon’s second early in the second half and Sean Reay scored the third with a low shot that Briggs allowed to slip through his grasp.

Billingham Town have now picked up seven points from their last three matches after winning 1-0 at Morpeth, Sean Kell scoring.

South Shields won at Penrith, thanks to a late goal by Stephen Ramsay, while champions Newcastle Benfield were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Bedlington.

Ryton are now fourth bottom after they lost 2-1 at home to West Allotment.

In the second division, Newton Aycliffe provided the shock of the day by beating unbeaten league leaders Sunderland RCA 2-0 away from home.

Aycliffe were short of strikers because of injuries, so they put midfielder Chris Renshaw up front, and he had a hand in the first goal when Elliott Gardner broke away and scored from an acute angle.

Stuart Owen scored a second with a right foot shot to give Aycliffe their first win in nine league games, and their first away win since they joined the league.

Jarrow Roofing missed a chance to capitalise on the RCA’s slip when they were held to a goalless draw at home by Whickham.

Whitehaven are now second after they beat Thornaby 3-1, while Crook moved up to fourth place with a 4-0 away win at Washington.

The home side were reduced to ten men after Scott Emmerson was dismissed early in the game for a foul, and Crook went a goal up on a minute before the break when Darren Kokes beat the Washington keeper. Tom Berj scored the second with a 25 yarder straight into the top corner, and Adam Nicholls scored the third with a low shot. Gavin Barton completed the scoring with a tap in.

Marske and North Shields drew 1-1 in their top six clash at Mount Pleasant. Marske took the lead with a goal by Rob Jones, but Shields stretched their unbeaten run to nine games with an equaliser by Andy Hay just four minutes from the end.

Brandon are now sixth after winning 3-1 at third bottom Birtley. Steven Fothergill put Brandon into the lead in the opening minutes, but Steve Burns quickly equalised. Paul Dixon and Fothergill scored within a minute of each other midway through the second half.

Darlington RA stay rooted to the bottom after they lost 4-1 at Gillford, Michael Colman scoring for RA.

Rob Marsden’s first game in charge as permanent Hebburn manager saw them draw 2-2 against Team Northumbria.

Seaham Red Star came from behind to win 2-1 at Northallerton. The home side took the lead with a 20 yard free kick by Richard Thompson, but Seaham levelled when Stephen Jackson headed in a Stephen Winspear cross. Paul Jack scored the winner from 20 yards with eight minutes left.

Stokesley won their derby 2- 0 against Guisborough, with goals by Simon O’Shea and Richard Hore.