Chester-le-Street defender Lee Harrison was a real hero in their 2-0 Second Division home win over Gillford Park.

Harrison had to don the keeper’s jersey just a few minutes into the game after Kyle Barlow limped off injured, and he went on to superbly save a penalty and make some other fine saves, even more so in the second half as his team played for most of the second half with ten men.

Chester-le-Street chairman Joe Burlison said: “Usually we have a reserve keeper on the bench, but he couldn’t make it so Lee went in goal. He made some great saves, especially the penalty. He was fantastic.”

Harrison had no hesitation in taking over after Barlow went off , and he made one good save before Chester took the lead with a strike by Liam McBryde, quickly followed by another from Mark Davison before half time.

But it was in the second half when Harrison excelled, saving a penalty from Sean Bannon and some more good stops after his side was reduced to ten men when defender Jordan Fraser was sent off for hitting an opponent following a challenge on Harrison.

Newton Aycliffe defeated fellow promotion chasers Marske United by 2-1 at Moore Lane to remain well in control at the top of the table.

They had much the better of the first half, and took the lead on 39 minutes with a powerful left foot shot by Stuart Owen, but Marske improved after half time and levelled on 55 minutes with a Benn Thompson penalty after Karl Charlton was fouled. However, Aycliffe recovered and scored the winner after 83 minutes when Paul Broom crossed for Elliott Gardner to head in from twelve yards.

There was controversy when the referee appeared to point towards the spot for a second Marske penalty, but awarded a free kick just outside the area instead.

Guisborough won 2-1 at Northallerton to stay eleven points behind Aycliffe with two games in hand. There were plenty of chances in the opening minutes, and it was Northallerton who took the lead when Peter Bulmer lobbed the Guisborough keeper after 20 minutes. However, Guisborough equalised with a David Onions penalty after he was fouled just on the half time whistle, and in the second half Austin Johnson scored from a Shane Henry pass. Northallerton piled on the pressure and Guisborough keeper Jack Norton made several good saves.

North Shields are now in clear third after thumping Darlington RA 5-0 at Brinkburn Road. Andy Hay fired into the roof of the net to put them into the lead in the opening minutes, and scored the second from a left wing cross from James Luccock midway through the half.

Luccock set up two more for Keith Douglas at the start of the second half, and Hay completed his hat trick with a powerful shot.

Brandon won their first home game of the season by 3-2 at home to Thornaby, although they had to hang on in the closing stages. They took the lead early on through Danny Corbett, but their keeper, Ryan Graham pulled off several good saves to keep his side in the lead. Corbett and Steve Fothergill made it 3-0 in the second half, before Thornaby came charging back with late goals by Matty Crossan and Billy Gatenby.

Hebburn have now won four in a row after they thumped bottom club Morpeth 5-0. Dean Nicholson gave them an early lead, with Dean Walker and Stuart Nicholson adding further goals by the half hour mark. Dean Nicholson scored another on the hour, with sub David Dormand wrapping it up late in the game.

Crook Town held on to a 4-2 away win at Horden even though they finished the game with nine men.

Crook took the lead with a header by former Horden player Kevin Devine, but within a minute Craig Garthwaite levelled from a corner. Darren Kokes restored Crook’s lead, with Chris Wallace adding a third before half time. Devine was dismissed for dissent before half time, and Horden pulled a goal back through Gilberto Chapim. Liam Beeston was then dismissed for violent conduct, before the nine men scored a fourth with a deflected shot by Andy Appleby.

Birtley striker Marty Roper scored a hat trick as they defeated Seaham Red Star 4-2. Seaham took the lead through Lewis Turnbull, but Birtley hit back with a hat trick by Roper to take his league total for the season to 15. Chris Tait added a fourth before Robbie Bird replied.