CHESTER-LE-STREET smashed Guisborough’s unbeaten second division record and boosted their own promotion hopes with a 5-0 win.

Chester had struggled following relegation last season, and manager Stuart Sherwood said: “Our problem was that we hadn’t been taking our chances.

“We haven’t under-estimated anybody. We must have been creating eight or nine really good chances per game and not taking them until Saturday. The lads produced a massive performance.”

Chester got off to a great start after 56 seconds when Nicky Kane scored from 20 yards, and they were 2-0 up in the fifth minute when Kane’s shot was blocked and Gary Shields tapped in.

Recent signing Mark Davison headed the third after 15 minutes, and Chester plundered another when Davison chested down a free kick for Kane to fire in. Another new signing, Liam McBryde, grabbed a fifth in the second half.

The first division’s bottom club, Esh Winning, parted company with manager Adam Furness last Tuesday, but he answered an SOS from the club to take charge of the team at Whitley Bay.

New boss Peter Mulcaster was away on holiday and doesn’t start his duties until today.

Ironically, Esh produced one of their best performances of the season in a 1-0 defeat.

Whitley enjoyed most of the possession and couldn’t break stubborn Esh down with keeper Andrew Spence making a couple of good saves, until the 75th minute, when Damon Robson headed home.

First division leaders Consett are four points clear after they beat Norton 3-1 at Belle Vue. Lewis Teasdale gave them the lead from an Andy Cuthbertson pass on 50 minutes, then his strike partner Gavin Barton added the second from a free kick.

Teasdale scored another from a Ryan Bell cross, before Danny Earl scored a late consolation for Norton.

Shildon are up to second, but they could only draw 2-2 at Jarrow Roofing. Justin Keegan headed them in front from a corner after 34 minutes, but Roofing hit back, with Kris Hughes causing Shildon problems with his pace.

He levelled from a through ball by David Malloy, and put Roofing head with a 25- yarder. Shildon salvaged a point when Steve Johnson rounded the keeper for the equaliser.

Newcastle Benfield, who won their first six league matches, have now picked up only one point from their last two after drawing 2-2 at Penrith.

Scott Fenwick gave Benfield an early lead, but Wayne Robertson headed Penrith level. Graeme Anthony put Penrith into the lead from the spot, but John Campbell levelled with another spot kick.

Guisborough’s defeat in the second division means that Newton Aycliffe are now only a point behind them following their 3-1 win at Horden.

They took the lead with a great goal by Anthony Campbell, who beat three men and scored with a right-foot shot, then went 2-0 up when Paul Broom finished off a good move.

Horden pulled a goal back through Jack Honour, but Warren Byrne beat a defender and scored his ninth league goal of the season to make it 3-1.

Brandon were within seconds of gaining their first point of the season but visitors Crook Town scored deep into stoppage time.

Andy Appleby headed Crook into a first half lead for his seventh league goal of the season, but Brandon scored only their fourth from a Danny Corbett penalty.

Just as it looked as if Brandon would hold on, Crook were awarded a disputed penalty, which Jonathan Davis converted.

Marske are fifth after a 3-0 win at Seaham Red Star, their third successive win.

Lewis Wood gave them a half-time lead from the edge of the box, and early in the second half Josh Myers set up Andy Swalwell to chest the ball down and fire the second.

Danny Brunskill was on target for the eighth successive game to make sure.

Darlington RA are into the top half of the table after they won 1-0 at Hebburn, Michael Barnett scoring the goal to give them their fifth win of the campaign – more than they achieved in all of last season.

North Shields beat Gillford Park by a single goal from Keith Douglas midway through the first half.

Whitehaven are still unbeaten, after they defeated Thornaby 4-0.

However, Thornaby missed some good chances and were caught pushing forward three times in the last 20 minutes.

Morpeth are still without a win in ten games after they were beaten 5-2 at Team Northumbria, for whom former Darlington midfielder Dan Riley was among the goals.