Leaders Newton Aycliffe were held to a 1-1 draw by fourth placed North Shields at Moore Lane.

Shields had the better of the first half, and took the lead when Dan Patterson’s left foot shot was turned into his own net by David Mitton, but Aycliffe, who haven’t lost in 13 games, improved in the second half, and veteran Danny Mellanby levelled in typical fashion, turning his man and firing into the bottom corner. Aycliffe nearly won it, but Ben Wood and Mark Peck were both denied by good saves from the Shields keeper.

Guisborough reduced the deficit on the leaders to five points with a 3-1 away win at Horden. Guisborough, who gave a debut to former Hartlepool midfielder Willie Boland, took the lead when Luke Bythway scored with a shot through a crowd of players, and his brother Lee then scored from a free kick. David Onions broke away to score the third, his eight league goal of the season.

Horden came more into the game in the second half, and pulled a goal back through Adam Croft.

Crook drew 2-2 at Washington after being two goals up midway through the first half.

Darren Kokes broke clear and put Crook into the lead after 13 minutes, and within two minutes Andy Appleby added a second. Washington threw everything at Crook after that. Nicky Martin pulled one back with a header on 72 minutes, and Ian Davidson earned a point from the spot with ten minutes left.

Darlington RA lost 3-1 at home to Thornaby, who are now in the top half of the table. After a goalless first half, Thornaby took the lead when a cross by Jon Lake avoided everybody apart from Chris Hobbs, who tapped in from close range. Sub Alex Marshall then weaved his way through and fired the second, before Dale Elgie scored from the edge of the box in the last minute for the RA.

All the other games in the STL First and Second Divisions were postponed