WEST AUCKLAND manager Peter Dixon admitted he warned his players about indiscipline before their 4-2 home defeat by Billingham Synthonia on Saturday. But they still finished the game with eight men.

West had defenders Andrew Green and Chris Carr, plus captain and striker Mattie Moffat dismissed, while Synners midfielder Nathan Wilson also saw red.

There could have been a fifth if referee Danny Markham had shown Danny Newby a red card when the defender fouled Moffat for West’s equalising penalty.

Both sides had chances in the first half hour before the stream of red cards began when West full back Andrew Green was sent off for deliberately elbowing Synners’ winger Dan Johnson as they chased a ball down the wing.

Synners took the lead when Matthew Crosson weaved his way down the right, and pulled the ball back for Johnson to beat Mark Bell from a few yards.

John Campbell pulled a goal back from the rebound after Josh Moody blocked his penalty, but Johnson restored the lead with another left-foot shot just before half-time.

Nathan Jameson made it 3-1 when he buried a right-foot shot into the bottom corner on 55 minutes, but Moffat pulled a goal back with a header. Then there was a flurry of red cards.

In a game littered with foul language, Moffat was dismissed for swearing at the referee.

Then Synners midfielder Nathan Wilson was shown his second yellow.

When it was nine v ten, West thought they had a chance. But then Chris Carr blocked a shot by Aidan Cattermole with his arm and was shown red, with Chay Liddle converting the spot kick.

West manager Peter Dixon said: “We warned the players before the game about what to expect but they didn’t heed the warnings.

“If there was any intent in Andrew Green’s challenge, then he’s been silly. Regarding the second, we warned the players about foul language before the game, and for the third, I must admit that I didn’t see it.

“Overall, there are no excuses for the performance. My assistant and I are wondering whether the players are as hurt as we are.”

Whitley Bay were the day’s big hitters, putting six without reply past Team Northumbria to climb to fourth in the table.

Whitley took the lead with a good shot from outside the box by Paul Chow, then Lee Kerr added two more, both from the edge of the area before half-time.

Paul Robinson got the fourth from a corner, then Kerr completed his hat-trick, scoring from the rebound after his penalty was blocked.

Robinson completed the rout from a Chris Fawcett pass.

Billingham Town stay second bottom of the table, going down 2-1 at Newcastle Benfield.

Nicky Martin gave Town the lead when he scored from a Micky Dunwell assist, but Benfield levelled when Stephen Young scored from ten yards. Benfield then took the lead when David Coulson headed home. Town had Stephen Flockett dismissed for a foul midway through the second half.

Town have suffered another blow with the departure of striker Jamie Owens to Shildon.

Dunston continued their climb up the table by winning 2-0 at Marske United. After Chris Swailes hit the crossbar, they took the lead after 28 minutes when Lee McAndrew crossed for Danny Craggs to head past Marske keeper Scott Allison, and Craggs was involved in the second when he crossed for Andy Bulford to score with a diving header on 74 minutes.

Hebburn suffered their first away league defeat of the season when they lost 3-0 at Celtic Nation. David Lynn, Jeff Smith and Michael Reed scored the goals.

CN have signed former Middlesbrough and Darlington winger Nathan Porritt.

In the second division, Crook Town climbed into fourth place in the table when they beat North Shields 3-1 at the Millfield.

Crook took the lead after ten minutes when Richard Hodgson scored with a 20- yarder that went in off the bar.

He created the second after 54 minutes when he sent Kyle Davis through and scored with a shot across the keeper.

Bobby Nolan pulled a goal back for Shields, but then Warren Byrne scored Crook’s third when he beat two defenders and fired into the bottom corner.

Two of Crook’s promotion rivals, Darlington RA and Seaham Red Star, drew 1-1 at Brinkburn Road, but the RA needed a late equaliser to sneak a point.

Seaham took the lead after 20 minutes when Channon North scored with a header.

RA’s David Webster missed a penalty, but in the dying minutes James Evison grabbed the equaliser from ten yards.

Seaham had seven players booked.

Tow Law had an excellent away win, by 5-0 at Chester-le- Street. Scott Brassell put Lawyers 1-0 up, then Chester had defender David Henderson dismissed for a professional foul, and Daniel Wilson scored from the spot.

Lawyers took full advantage of the extra man, and Wilson went on to complete his hat-trick – his second in three games – with Scott Thompson also chipping in.

Lowly Stokesley had a good 1-1 away draw at fifth-placed Whitehaven. Matty Tymon put Whitehaven into the lead, but Stokesley, who only had 12 men available, levelled through Michael Lee.

Horden drew 1-1 at bottom club Alnwick, thanks to a goal by Lee Burrell that cancelled out Daniel Thompson’s goal for Alnwick.

Surprise packages Ryton won their third successive game when they defeated Washington 1-0 with a goal by Phil Smith.

Whickham came from behind to beat Brandon 3-1 at the Glebe.

Stephen Moody put Brandon into the lead. Whickham levelled through Sam McIntosh then went in front through Scott Swanston.

Brandon missed chances to level in the second half, before Tony Thirkell clinched it.

Thornaby have now lost five league games in a row after going down 2-0 to West Allotment, for whom Sean Reid and Liam Hudson scored.

The game between Birtley and Ryhope CW was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.