Tow Law celebrated only their second league win of the season when they beat Jarrow Roofing on Saturday.

Lawyers have struggled to pick up points this season, but manager Ian Davison reckons that the return of striker Greg Halliday gave them the boost they needed.

“It was a much better team performance,” he said.

“Having Greg back in the team made a big difference, because he can hold the ball up. Now we need to build on this because there are some very tough games coming up.”

Marc Nixon scored the only goal of the game with a well hit shot from the edge of the box, and after that Halliday and Michael Hall both went close, while Lawyers keeper Stephen Robinson saved well from David Molloy. It was also Lawyers’ first clean sheet of the season.

Leaders Sunderland RCA came from two goals down to beat Whitley Bay 3-2.

Whitley seemed to be on their way to the points when Lee Kerr’s shot was blocked, and Lee Paul Scroggins tapped in. And it was 2-0 on 54 minutes when RCA keeper Gary Hoggeth dropped the ball, and Phil Bell gave Scroggins another simple tap in.

However, Bryan Stewart’s cross was palmed out for Lee Owens to turn in. Owens then levelled from the penalty spot following a handball offence, and to cap a remarkable comeback Stewart fired the winner following a run by Owens.

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon said: “Our bubble certainly hasn’t burst, and we’ve proved that we can compete against teams like Whitley Bay.”

West Auckland are still hot on the heels of the leaders after coming from behind to beat Bedlington 2-1 at Darlington Road, the game turning on three half time substitutions by West manager Peter Dixon.

Bedlington took the lead with a Steven Baptist free kick into the top corner, but Mattie Moffat fired the misfiring hosts level from ten yards after an Adam Nicholls shot was blocked.

West were much better in the second half, and won the game when sub Mark Stephenson fired home from 15 yards.

West Auckland manager Peter Dixon said: “We were lucky to go in level at half time – Mattie Moffat got us out of jail.”

Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers got the reaction he wanted from his players when they held on to beat Consett 3-2 at Heritage Park.

Bishops got off to a great start, scoring twice in three minutes. Dan Hawkins put them in front with a deflected shot, and then Andy Johnson added a second from a Phil Shead pass.

Consett hit back before the break, when Michael Mackay pulled the ball back for Marc Walton to score, and when the visitors levelled through a Mackay tap in after a Harrison Davies effort was blocked, Consett looked as if they would go on and win.

But instead it was Bishops who got the winner from the spot, when Consett keeper Peter Jameson pushed Johnson, who then scored his 15th league goal of the season to keep his position as the division’s top scorer.

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said: “We played some very good football in the second half, but we missed numerous opportunities. But we can’t afford to give teams a two goal start.”

Newton Aycliffe fought out a goalless draw at Dunston, and nearly snatched all three points if they hadn’t missed a penalty.

Scott Pocklington pulled off a couple of good saves before Aycliffe really got going, and they missed a great chance to take the lead when the referee awarded a penalty for handball, but former Darlington winger Josh Gray missed from the spot, Dunston keeper Liam Connell saving.

The game swung from end to end, and Aycliffe nearly won it right at the end, but Dale Jardine fired over the top. Elliott Gardner also hit the post.

Newton Aycliffe manager Alan Oliver said: “Dunston isn’t an easy place to go to and get a point, so we’re happy.”

Shildon picked up three points in a 2-0 away win at bottom club Stokesley, who pushed them all the way. Shildon took the lead after 36 minutes with a strike by Chris McCabe, and they didn’t make the points safe until new signing Nick Kane scored from the edge of the box.

Shildon manager Gary Forrest said: “It was one of those games in which we never really got any rhythm going. We worked hard enough, but we let ourselves down in the final third.”

Norton are up to fourth following a 3-0 away win at Penrith. After a goalless first half, Nathan Mulligan put them in front when he chipped the keeper, but then Penrith keeper James Holland dropped a real clanger for the second, when he failed to control a misplaced through ball by Mulligan and the ball rolled under his foot into the net. Sub Matthew Garbutt chipped the third with three minutes left.

Billingham Synthonia had a good 2-0 away win at Newcastle Benfield, who finished the game with nine men. Synners took the lead after 19 minutes with a header by David Abel, and then shortly after Mattie Crossen made it 2-0, with Benfield’s Phil Lumsden sent off for dissent in the process.

Benfield lost their cool after that, with sub Adam Scope red carded before he came on to the field, and then Chris Feasey was shown red late in the game.

Billingham Synthonia assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “We played really well, and deserved the three points. It was a good bounce back after the defeat on Wednesday.”

Guisborough climbed out of the bottom three by beating South Shields 3-1, and now climb above their opponents in the league.

Shields took the lead after 11 minutes through Alex Benjamin following a foul on Yanis Galas, but Guisborough levelled when Austin Johnston headed in Luke Bythway’s free kick. Bythway then dribbled past several defenders in a 30 yard run after 24 minutes to beat the Shields keeper Jonathan Ball, then a shot by David onions was turned into his own net by a defender. Shields had keeper Ball sent off in the second half or violent conduct.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: “After going an early goal, we went on to dominate the half and go in 3-1 up at half time. We had to withstand some expected pressure in the second half and defend well. It was a very good three points for us.”

Billingham Town won their second game of the week by beating Marske 3-1 at Bedford Terrace.

Jon Burton fired Marske into the lead midway through the first half, but Michael Arthur levelled from a free kick into the top corner. Town went in front on 75 minutes when Jamie Owens beat three men and set up Nicky Martin to beat the Marske keeper, then Alan Cosavella played a 1-2 and sealed the points.

Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett said: “For a change, we staretd a game well. But it bugs me that we can’t keep a clean sheet.”

Marske manager Paul Burton said: “I feel let down. We had played well in our previous three games until yesterday, and very few of the players reached those standards.”