West Auckland went top of the Northern League last night thanks to two goals in a minute late in the game against Whitley Bay.

Whitley took the lead after 34 minutes when Robbie Dale crossed low for Paul Chow to tap in, but West burst into life in the last seven minutes.

A shot by Alex Francis was parried by Kyle Hayes, and Mattie Moffat tapped in, and on 85 minutes sub Danny Hindmarch chipped the keeper after being put through by Jon Gibson. Whitley manager Ian Chandler said: "We were in control then through it away. Bad defending late in the game cost us."

Dunston are level on points with them after they beat previous leaders Sunderland RCA.

Dunston took the lead after 2 minutes through Kane Young from a Terry Galbraith corner, then Danny Craggs made it 2-0 with a header from a left wing cross by Lee McAndrew. Gary Hoggeth pulled off some good saves, before his side pulled a goal back with a Jamie Owens penalty soon after half time. Dunston manager Billy Irwin said: "We deserved the win against a good team," and RCA manager Neil Hixon said: "Dunston were 2-0 up at half time and deserved to be. In the second half we were the better team, but just couldn't get the goals to get a result." Dunston ahve the same goal difference as West, but they have scored fewer goals.

In the second division, Seaham Red Star pulled off an excellent 3-3 draw at second placed Whickham, even though they had a man sent off. Tim Bowman grabbed a point with a late penalty.

Seaham manager Steve Cook said: "We showed great character and resilience to come back and draw."

In the Ernest Armstrong Trophy, Birtley beat Esh Winning thanks to a very late John Martin goal. Esh manager Andrew Soppitt said; "It was the same old story for us. We dominated the game without playing well. We missed countless sitters and got caught last minute."

Horden beat Whitehaven with a lateKevin Price goal,and manager Brian honour said: "I'm glad to win, but it was a poor performance. We've played better in recent weeks and lost."

Chester-le-Street beat Morpeth 3-2 in extra time with a goal by Ben Johnson after 110 minutes, their third successive win. "Morpeth were the better team, but we stuck at it and showed character."

South Shields have replaced outgoing manager Gary Steadman with his previous assistant Jon King, who has managerial experience in the league at Morpeth.

Easington have appointed Mark Proudlock, who has been at Wearside League club Hartlepool, as their new manager.

STL Northern League Division One.

Dunston 2 (Young, Craggs) Sunderland RCA 1 (Owens) , Whitley Bay 1 (Chow) West Auckland 2 (Moffat, Hindmarch).

Division Two.

Whickham 3 (McCavanagh, McKenna, Hedley) Seaham Red Star 3 (Bowman 2, Robinson) Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup Birtley 1 (Martin) Esh Winning 0, Chester-le-Street 3 (Hall og, Paton, B Johnson) Morpeth 2 (Fenwick, Walmsley) aet, Horden 1 (Price) Whitehaven 0.