Dunston are now joint second after they won 2-1 at Billingham Synthonia.

Dunston took the lead after 26 minutes when Stephen Pickering volleyed in Lee McAndrew’s cross, and then it was 2-0 when the Synners defence failed to clear and Andy Bulford scored his 12th league goal of the season.

Dunston could have had more before half time, but Synners improved in the second half, and pulled a goal back through James Magowan headed in a free kick. Danny Earl also hit the bar.

Billingham Synthonia assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “It was the typical game of two halves. They were better firs t half, and we were better in the second half.”

Dunston manager Billy Irwin said: “It was a good three points, but we can play better and will do so.”

Champions Spennymoor scored three times in the first half and set up a 3-0 home win over Tow Law.

They took the lead after 15 minutes when Sonny Andrews crossed well for Lewis Dodds to head in at the far post, and it was 2-0 on 38 minutes when Gavin Barton was brought down in the area, and he scored from the spot. Andrews then ran through and chipped Tow Law keeper Stephen Robinson from 15 yards.

Moors are now up to fifth in the table.

Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley said: “I thought we took our foot off the gas in the second half, but I can’t complain too much at 3-0 and a clean sheet.”

Tow Law manager Ian Davison said: “We did ok today, but bad decisions cost us in the first half. We could have scored two in the second half, but so could they.”

Bishop Auckland needed a last minute equaliser to earn them a 2-2 draw at unlucky Marske United.

Marske missed some good chances before Bishops took the lead on 40 minutes, when Darren Richardson cut in from the right and scored with a left foot shot. But Marske levelled after 65 minutes when Karl Charlton scored with a low shot. The home side thought they’d won it after 89 minutes when an unmarked Benn Thompson headed in, but in stoppage time Richardson equalised from close range.

Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers said: “I know we got a point, but I thought Marske deserved to win the game. I thought only five or six of our players were good enough, and we missed a good opportunity to climb the table.”

Marske manager Paul Burton said: “The lads worked hard and played well. If we continue to play like that, then we’ll get out of trouble.”

Newton Aycliffe led Penrith at half time, but then lost 2-1 for their second home defeat inside four days.

New signing Philip Robinson gave them the lead from a Shaun Tarling pass, but Penrith struck back in the second half as Aycliffe failed to capitalise.

Martyn Coleman set up Scott Allison for the equaliser on 71 minutes, and then he provided the pass for Phil Thornton to score the winner two minutes later. Penrith have now moved out of the bottom six.

Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver said: “We faded badly in the second half. Our problem is that we don’t have enough experience to finish teams off. We should be picking up points from games like that.”

Whitley Bay are fourth thanks to a 3-1 away win at Norton. They got off to a great start when Paul Chow deflected a Robbie Dale effort past Jim Provett in the Norton goal, and they were two up on 10 minutes with a Chow header from a David Pounder free kick. Darren Mowbray pulled a goal back from a Nathan Mulligan pass before half time. There were chances at both ends in the second half, but Whitley made sure right at the end when Damon Robson fired home from close range.

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: “Very happy with the result. We started well and went 2-0 up, but then sat back and invited Norton on. The ref wasn’t very good in the second half, lost control of the game and spoilt it for all concerned.”

Ashington warmed up for their big FA Cup tie this Saturday by thumping bottom club Stokesley 7-0. They never looked back after Stokesley defender Danny Jones put through his own goal after 20 minutes. Andrew Johnson (2), Craig Scott (2), Jonny Godsmark and Damen Mullen scored further goals.

Ashington’s Jamie Clarke, who works at the nearby North Riding FA headquarters, missed a penalty.

The second division round up is in the second diviion section.