Esh Winning manager Andrew Soppitt believes that his team has finally adapted to the second division after they beat leaders Team Northumbria on Saturday.

Soppitt rebuilt the Esh team after they were relegated last season, and he believes that this excellent victory at the home of the league leaders marks a turning point for his team.

“We’re slowly getting there,” he said. “The players have got used to the second division now. We’ve changed our style of play, and we’re stretching teams. We’ve also learned how to dig deep, because we had to work hard in the last twenty minutes after we had a man sent off.”

Both teams missed some good chances in the first half, but Esh took the lead just after half time when Craig Coates scored from a Simon Ord pass. However, they had to play the closing stages of the game with ten men after Chris Smith was dismissed for an off the ball incident.

Team Northumbria director of football Paul Johnson said: “That’s our third poor performance in a row now, so given the size of our squad we will make changes to effect changes of personnel and the way and shape we play. I was very disappointed with their goal because there was a hint of offside, but it shouldn’t have been an issue if we played quicker and finished our chances.”

Birtley are now unbeaten in their last six league matches after a good 5-1 home win over local rivals Washington to keep them in third. Ben Richardson gave Washington a first half lead, but Birtley hit back with goals by Dan Smart (2), Reece Darwent, Steven Telford and Dan Smith.

Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: “It was a good performance, and now we’re seven unbeaten.”

Easington, under caretaker manager Steve Riley, lost 3-2 at home to Whickham, although they were unhappy with the winning goal. Stephen Aiston and Kieron Wrightson in turn put Whickham in the lead, with debutant Ross Galley and Luke Wilson equalising. Whickham scored a hotly disputed winner from the penalty spot through Alex Henderson.

Thornaby assistant manager Neil Radigan, a midfielder, was forced to play in goal after Chris Davidson went off injured against West Allotment, but he saved his side a point in a 2-2 draw. Allotment took the lead through Tony Lancaster, but Marcus Laing equalised with a 30 yarder. Craig Skelton put Thornaby into the lead, only for Dean Lee to earn a point for the visitors, who stay fourth.

Thornaby manager Ray Morton said: “It was good point for us, considering that our keeper broke his finger and so assistant manager Neil Radigan went in goal – and he’s not a keeper.”

Brandon lost for the second time in 48 hours against North Shields, and again by the league cup scoreline of 2-1. Shields took an early lead through James Luccock, and went further ahead in the second half through Dean Holmes. Mark Brishuck pulled a late goal back for Brandon.

North Shields manager Anthony Woodhouse said: “It was a solid performance and we were comfortable throughout. We could have been 4 or 5 up but didn’t take our chances. They scored late on but the damage had been done.”

Chester-le-Street won their first league game under manager Anth Smith when they defeated Ryton and Crawcrook by 4-1. They got off to a great start, scoring three times in the first 20 minutes through Scott Swanston, Dan Smith and Michael Coghlan, and after Andrew Peacock pulled a goal back for Ryton, Ben Johnson scored a fourth for the visitors.

Seaham Red Star won their first home league game of the season by beating Alnwick 4-2, the turning point being a cracking shot by Anthony Watson to put Seaham into the lead. Tim Bowman, Michael Chapman and Danny Critchlow scored their other goals, with managerless Alnwick scoring through Jon Colley and Neil Catlow.

Horden notched only their sixth point of the season when they drew 1-1 with Northallerton. Sean Joseph scored Horden’s goal, with Craig Winter on target for Northallerton.

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “It was a disappointing performance, too many players were well short of their best. Fair play to Horden, they worked harder and wanted it more. We still had enough chances to win it.”

Horden manager Brian Honour said: “I was happy to take a point to stop the rot. It was a poor performance from both teams though.”

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In the other game, Whitehaven lost 2-1 at home to Morpeth. Cameron Patrick and Marc Walmsley scored for Morpeth, with Leigh Dunn on target for Whitehaven.