BRANDON finally got off the mark in style with a 5-1 win at fellow strugglers Morpeth in the second division.

Brandon had failed to pick up a point in their first ten games, and manager Steve Cook praised his players’ character and perseverance. “Ironically, I thought it was one of our worst performances,” he said. “Several players stepped up for the challenge after last week’s game, when we lost in the last minute against Crook. They’re a great bunch of lads to work with. It’s a nice feeling to win a game.”

Danny Corbett nabbed a hat-trick, with Morpeth’s Cameron Patrick cancelling out his opening goal – the first time Brandon had been in front this season. Marc Costello scored a 25- yarder with Andrew Beamson scoring the fifth.

In the first division, Esh Winning manager Peter Mulcaster has told his players the hard work is just beginning after they thumped Ryton 7-0 for their first win of the season.

“I’m delighted for everyone at the club,” said Mulcaster after his second game in charge. “It hasn’t been easy this season. We’ve got some really tough games coming up now, and hopefully we’ll have some new players to help us.”

Esh, who lost 7-0 in midweek, got off to a great start when Craig Marron scored from the spot, and then Stuart Thompson scored two good solo goals.

It was one way traffic in the second half, with Thompson completing his hat-trick, and Marc Nixon, Ian Ward and Ryan Hogg scoring.

Leaders Consett squeezed past Penrith 2-1 at Belle Vue. Penrith took the lead with a clever 45-yard lob by Dean Douglas, but Jonjo Dickman scored from the rebound after Gavin Barton’s shot was blocked. The game looked set for a draw until Dickman pounced a minute from time.

Bedlington are second after beating Tow Law 4-0 at Welfare Park. Keith Graydon scored, and after Lawyers had defender Steve Tobin sent off, Alex Benjamin added two and Richard Hodgson one.

Spennymoor won 5-0 at Billingham Town, with striker Micky Rae becoming the third player to score four in a first division game this season.

Moors took the lead on 28 minutes when Anthony Peacock beat two men and set up Rae, and three minutes later Micky Laws was fouled in the area and Rae scored from the spot.

Rae completed his hat-trick from a corner, and he scored another from the spot after Darlington loanee Chris Moore was fouled. Town’s Alan Cosavella put through his own goal.

West Auckland had a 2-1 home win over Billingham Synthonia. West took the lead from a Stephen Brown penalty for handball after eight minutes, but Colin Iley equalised from 20 yards.

Mattie Moffat scored the winner from a Danny Hindmarsh pass.

Bishop Auckland drew 1-1 at South Shields. The home side took the lead with a header by Chris Winn from a Barrie Smith cross. Bishops levelled through Adam Emson.

Newcastle Benfield beat Dunston 2-1, even though they only had ten men for most of the game following the dismissal of defender Kevin Leighton.

Steve Preen put Dunston into the lead, but Brian Dodsworth scored twice.

Sunderland RCA were held to a 1-1 draw at home by third bottom West Allotment, so stay just a point above the relegation zone. Marc Walton put Allotment into the lead with a 17thminute penalty, but he missed another in the second half. Martin Smith rescued a point with a low left-foot shot.

Stokesley stay in the bottom four after a 1-1 draw at home to Jarrow Roofing. Lev Yalcin put Stokesley into the lead, but Roofing equalised through Peter Watling. Stokesley’s new signing Anthony Hume was red carded late on.

Guisborough stay top of the second division after a seven-goal thriller at home to Gillford Park. Shane Henry and David Onions put Guisborough 2-0 up, but Michael Reed hit back with two for Gillford. Chris I’Anson made it 3-2, only for Darren Addison to quickly equalise.

Henry headed the winner on the hour.

Newton Aycliffe played for the best part of their game against Whitehaven with ten men, and won 3-0.

Elliott Gardner put Aycliffe into the lead, but then he was dismissed for retaliation following a foul. Warren Byrne beat two men and fired the second and after 55 minutes Fred Woodhouse fired into the top corner. Aycliffe gave a debut to former Hartlepool midfielder Mark Tinkler, signed from Esh Winning.

Marske United ran riot against Chester-le-Street, thumping them 7-2, two players scoring hat-tricks.

Danny Brunskill scored his ninth league goal of the season in the opening minutes, and before half time, Derek Bradley (2) and Lewis Wood added further goals, with Mark Davison and Lee Harrison with a 25-yarder replying.

Bradley and Woods completed their treble hauls.

Darlington RA equalled their points tally for the whole of last season by beating Hebburn 3-1.

They went a goal down early on, when Dan Olusoga was on target, but Mark Jenkinson crossed for Fred Huscroft to head home. Mike Barnett put the RA into the lead, and then he set up Gavin Swankie for the third.

Crook’s eight-match winning start at home came to an end against Seaham Red Star, who came away with a 3-2 win. They got off to a good start with a goal by Andy Appleby, but Seaham hit back to lead 2-1 with two goals by Neil Gough. Johnny Davis levelled for Crook, but Willie Crew popped up with the winner. Crook had to put outfield player John Jury in goal because they didn’t have a keeper.

Birtley were within seconds of a win at North Shields, but the home side levelled with a last minute penalty.

Shields took the lead with a goal by James Luccock but Birtley stormed in front with goals either side of half time from Martin Roper and Chris Tait. Shields levelled deep into stoppage time with a penalty by Mark Pattison.

Northallerton have dropped into the bottom three after they lost 3-1 at home to Horden who swop places with them.

Horden took the lead when Bakary Bojang pounced on a mistake, and new signing Michael Heckley added the second. Darren Mowbray pulled a goal back from the spot, but Horden made sure with a free kick by Ash Corker.