Darlington RA jumped back into the promotion places thanks to a 2-0 away win at Chester-le-Street. There wasn’t much in the game until the RA took the lead direct from a Karl Hewitt corner on 49 minutes, and ten minutes from the end Nick Lyons added the second with a free kick.

Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison said; “We were off the pace in the first half, but we hung in there and actually had some good chances. In the second half, we tweaked our formation and were the better side with the wind. I’m really proud of the squad as we are missing arguably seven first choice players.”

Chester-le-Street manager Anth Smith said; “It was a closely-contested game with neither team creating many chances in open play. Both goals came from set plays, and it wasn’t a great spectacle.”

Gillford Park are ahead of the RA on goal difference after they thumped Brandon 5-1.

Leaders Team Northumbria are twelve points ahead of the pack after a 2-0 away win at Thornaby. Recent signing Nicky Deverdics fired into the top corner from a free kick, and then Peter Watling headed past the keeper for his 28th league goal of the season, but he then missed a penalty for his 29th.

Team Northumbria manager Paul Johnson said: “It was always going to be a tough game given the weather conditions and the heavy pitch. The key to the game was to score when the wind was against us which we did in the first half from a great free kick, and we knew it would be difficult in the second half to play out against the wind. The early second goal gave us the cushion we needed, but thought their keeper did really well in the second half with the penalty save. Happy wit ha clean sheet on a tough pitch.”

Esh Winning are still fifth, because they slipped up by the best of seven against Ryton at Waterhouses, six of the goals coming in the second half. Ryton took the lead thanks to a Gary Turton own goal, but Esh levelled through Craig Coates. Paul Henderson-Reay struck twice at the start of the second half to put Ryton 3-1 up, before Craig Mickle pulled a goal back. However, Andrew Dobbie crucially made it 4-2, which was too much for Esh even though Simon Ord scored a late goal.

Ryton manager Dave Hagan said: “It was a good win. We played well on a bad surface. We scored some good goals, but as usual we conceded some bad goals. I’m proud of the lads because they dug in and got a deserved win.”

Esh Winning manager Andrew Soppitt said: “A poor pitch levelled the teams, but to be fair to Ryton they played very well and deserved everything out of the game.”

Hebburn are now sixth after a 4-1 home win over Alnwick, scoring all their goals in the first half. Dan Kirkup headed them in front from a cross by Dean Nicholson, who scored the second from the penalty spot. Chris Jewels headed the third from another Nicholson free kick, and Liam McBryde scored his 25th goal of the season following a five man move. Luke Newton pulled a goal back for Alnwick in the second half.

Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: “We had the game won at 4-0 at half time. We lost three players at half time because of injury, became a bit disjointed, but we dug in and defended superbly.”

Northallerton had a bad day, losing their third successive game, by 3-2 at home to Birtley, even though they led 2-1 with five minutes left. Northallerton led with goals by Dan Clayton and Colin Anderson with Craig Marron replying, but in the closing minutes Michael Hepplewhite equalised, and James Allsopp cracked in the winner from a free kick.

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “I don’t think you can print my true thoughts. We were comfortable with five minutes to go at 2-1, and then lost. It was a failure to kill the game because of daft free kicks and players not doing their jobs. We only have ourselves to blame.”

Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: “It was a great curling free kick by Julian Allsopp in injury time that won it for us. We’re unbeaten in 8 now.”

West Allotment’s promotion hopes were dented by a 4-2 home defeat against Whitehaven, who led 3-0 at one point before a very late revival by Allotment.

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said: “We were awful. There was no heart or passion, and we got what we deserved, absolutely nothing. If we play like that in midweek against Hebburn, then we’ll lose by double figures. I won’t put up with performances like that.”

Crook are trying to make up ground on the leaders still, and they beat Horden 2-1 at the Millfield. They took the lead when Horden defender Kevin Price turned in Kevin Devine’s shot, and then Kyle Davis turned quickly on the edge of the box and fired in the second. Horden kept going, and Jack proctor pulled a goal back near the end.

Crook manager Gary Pearson said: “We had loads of chances after scoring twice early on. Our defence was excellent, and Marc Riches made three great saved. It was great commitment and desire from our lads, while Horden fought hard for the full 90.”

At the bottom, basement club Easington lost 4-1 at home to Washington, which means that they are still seven points adrift at the bottom. Tom Wilkie gave Easington an early lead, but Washington hit back to lead 2-1 at half time through Lee Hamilton and Nicky Evans. Ben Richardson and Graham Carter scored twice more in the last 15 minutes.

Easington manager Andy Colledge said; “There’s no excuses from me. Washington wanted it more. They battled for every ball and we were second best all over the pitch. We can only improve.”

The game between Morpeth and North Shields was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.