Tow Law player-manager Ian Davison believes that an injury free squad was the reason why they clinched their first home league win of the season by 2-1 against Sunderland RCA on Saturday.

Lawyers have struggled to win matches in the bottom two this season, and Davison said: “The big difference was that we had some strength in depth in the squad on Saturday, because several players who were injured earlier in the season are back to full fitness again. I had a gameplan in the days before the game, and I was able to stick to it. Sunderland RCA would have thumped us a few weeks ago with the injuries we had.”

Lawyers took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc Nixon swivelled and fired into the bottom corner, and he and Greg Halliday went close to adding further goals . However, the RCA levelled when Bryan Stewart But Lawyers reacted by taking the lead when Davison curled in a free kick for Luke Thompson to head in at the far post.

Lawyers keeper Stephen Robinson preserved the win with an excellent double save from Andy Cuthbertson and Lee Owens. The RCA have now lost their last three matches.

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon summed his side’s performance in one word: “Garbage”.

Dunston are now three points clear at the top after winning 2-0 at Billingham Town.

Town caused Dunston a few problems in the first half, but Dunston settled and took the lead just after half time when Lee McAndrew crossed from the left, and Micky Dixon forced the ball over the line.

They scored their second Kane Young headed down a Terry Galbraith corner and Andy Bulford fired his 13th goal of the season into the roof of the net past Town keeper Matthew Grounds.

Dunston assistant manager Tony Harrison said: “It wasn’t an easy game, because we didn’t play well in the first half and they caused us a few problems. We got our game together in the second half.”

Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett said: “We played some good stuff in the first half with two new players Matty Grounds and James Cronsberry. We made two silly mistakes at the start of the second half and got punished. I was very pleased with the team’s hard work and commitment.”

Bishop Auckland had a good away win at Newcastle Benfield by 3-1 to keep them in touch with the leading group.

Benfield, who haven’t won now in four league games, took the lead after 13 minutes through Micky Chilton after Lewis Teasdale hit the post. But Bishops levelled just on half time when Dan Hawkins got behind the defence and beat Andy Grainger. Chris Bell put Bishops into the lead with a glancing header from a Darren Atkinson cross, and Hawkins made sure on 83 minutes when Phil Brumwell sent him through, and he fired across the keeper.

Benfield have parted company with assistant manager Tom Wade, only a few weeks after he was appointed.

Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers said; “We played really well – that was our best performance for a while. We scored two of our goals straight from the training field.”

Champions Spennymoor went an early goal down at home to Jarrow Roofing, but won 3-1.

Roofing took the lead with a long range shot by Neil Scott, but Moors levelled when Gavin Cogdon sent Sonny Andrews racing through, and he lobbed the keeper.

Moors took the lead soon after the break when Leon Ryan scored with a header from a Micky Laws cross, and near the end Andrews, who had an excellent game, scored the third from the spot after Craig Ruddy was fouled. Moors are now up to fifth, and are unbeaten in their last eight league matches.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said: “We played very well. We included a lot of new young lads. I was very happy as there was more commitment.”

Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley said: “Some of our players need to stop thinking that all they have to do is turn up and win. We were woeful in the first half.”

Shildon bounced back from their midweek defeat when they won 2-1 at South Shields.

They took the lead after 32 minutes when Wayne Gredziak scored from a right wing cross, then Gredziak set up Chris Hughes to fire home from six yards out.

Shields, under new manager Jon King improved in the second half, but the only impression they could make was a last minute goal by Dan Kirkup.

Shildon assistant manager Stu Niven said; “I thought we were pretty comfortable, we scored our goals at the right times in the first half.”

Billingham Synthonia gained revenge for a 6-1 drubbing at Penrith last season by winning this season’s encounter 4-3.

Synners took the lead when Nathan Jameson’s shot was blocked, and the rebound fell for Danny Earl to turn in. Penrith hit back and scored twice through Phil Thornton and then Chris Bowman.

Synners levelled when James Magowan scored from a Chay Liddle corner, and then he scored another in a goalmouth scramble following another Liddle corner.

Penrith levelled from the spot through Stephen Ainsworth, but Earl got the winner when a defender slipped, and he ran through and chipped the keeper.

Billingham Synthonia assistant manager Lee Tucker said; “The match certainly wasn’t a coach’s dream.”

Guisborough had a good 1-1 draw at home to Bedlington. They had the edge in the first half and went close a couple of times, but Bedlington took the lead ten minutes after the break when Steve Richardson scored at the second attempt. Richardson also hit the post, before Guisborough equalised on 70 minutes, when Shane Henry fired home. Guisborough keeper Jack Norton pulled off an excellent save later in the game to save the points.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: “We played the better football in the first half. The second half was much more even. There was a wonder save by jack Norton and we had three penalties waved away. I was disappointed not to take all three points.”

Marske United climbed out of the bottom three with a 3-1 away win at local rivals Stokesley.

The bottom club took the lead after 20 minutes with a goal by Sangha Indy, but Karl Charlton quickly fired the equaliser. Charlton and Benn Thompson scored in the second half, but Stokesley also had their chances to secure a point.

Marske manager Paul Burton said: “I thought it was a poor game with neither side playing well, but we got the three points which is all that matters. We need to find a level of consistency game after game and then I’m sure we will be ok. Overall I’m delighted because the points were more important than the performance.”

Whitley Bay are up to fourth, but their 1-0 win over Norton wasn’t the best of games. Paul Chow scored the only goal of the game from the spot, but Norton almost levelled through Nathan Mulligan.

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said; “I’m delighted to get the three points against a strong Norton team. It wasn’t too pretty, but we ground out the result.”

Norton manager Conrad Hillerby said: "We were very unlucky to lose 1-0. We were playing against the man in the middle and not the opposition, there were bad decisions from start to finish."