, leaders Team Northumbria opened the door for the chasing clubs by losing 4-1 at Esh Winning, their first defeat in nine games.

TN seemed to be in control when Mark Bertram put them in the lead after 20 minutes, but John Jury equalised, and before half time Stuart Thompson dribbled through and put them in front.

Kieran Megran made it 3-1, and recent signing David Harrison added the fourth late in the game. Esh are now seventh, but still seven points off the promotion places.

Esh Winning manager Andrew Soppitt said: “The game was very similar to Hebburn on Wednesday, they were the best team first half but we found ourselves 2 - 1 up at half time. Second half we got a lot tighter and from there dominated the game and had a few more chances although the scoreline flatters us slightly.”

Team Northumbria manager Paul Johnson said: “We actually played well. We had 22 chances on goal and only scored one, and Esh had five chances, and scored four, some of which were worldy goals, which on any other day don’t go in. It should have been a comfortable outcome, but it’s just been one of those days where nothing goes our way. As long as we stick to how we’ve played this season the results will go our way and we shouldn’t have another blip like today.”

Morpeth stay second after beating Whitehaven 3-0 at Craik Park, all of their goals coming in the second half through Connor Andrews, Steven Anderson and Danny Young.

Hebburn are now third after winning 2-1 at Gillford Park, who drop to fourth. Gavin Barton put Gillford into the lead with a header on 32 minutes, but Lee Harrison quickly levelled from the spot. Straight after half time, Hebburn striker Liam McBryde got the winner from close range. Tempers frayed as the game went on, and Gillford had Wayne Robertson and David Lynn sent off, while Hebburn’s Harrison also received his marching orders.

It was the Cumbrians’ first defeat in eleven league games.

Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: “it was a superb team performance. The lads dug deep and have given themselves a platform for the last nine games.”

Darlington RA suffered a costly defeat at third bottom Horden by 3-1.

The RA started off well, when Fred Huscroft scored to give them the lead, but Horden battled back and levelled on the hour when Aaron Ramsbottom pounced on a mistake by the keeper and scored with a simple tap in. Darren Atkinson made it 2-1 in a goalmouth scramble, then Ramsbottom dispossessed a defender and scored the third.

Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison said: “I’m disappointed, but full credit to Horden. They outworked us and outfought us after an early goal without ever really threatening us. Three defensive errors handed them the points they deserved.”

Horden manager Peter Mulcaster said: “The players are looking forward to games now, whereas they weren’t before. I didn’t think the result was in any doubt in the second half, although our new keeper Chris Elliott had an excellent first half.”

Birtley are still hanging on to the promotion race, winning 2-0 at Washington. Craig Marron gave them the lead after 26 minutes from the penalty spot, then Dan Smart fired his 23rd goal of the season with ten minutes left. Birtley keeper Andy Hunter saved a Michael Latimer penalty late in the game.

Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: “It was a solid first half. I thought the ref should have shown a red card for the penalty we got. They had a good 15 minute spell in the second half, and Andy Hunter saved a penalty and made two other good saves.”

North Shields’ title challenge now appears to be over after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Brandon.

Dean Holmes put Shields into the lead with a 29th minute penalty, but Brandon levelled with a Mark Ferguson header on 35 minutes.

Craig Mountain scored from a loose ball to give Brandon a 2-1 lead, but Andy Hay lobbed the keeper for the equaliser with four minutes left.

Chester-le-Street produced their best performance of the season to beat Ryton and Crawcrook 4-0, all of their goals coming in the second half through Scott Swanston, James Fairley, Callum Patton and Luke Proctor.

Chester-le-Street manager Anth Smith said: “It was a really pleasing performance. The players worked exceptionally hard and unlucky not to go into half time with the lead. An early goal in the second half settled us and we played some good attractive football. We continued creating chances and got our rewards for it eventually. It’s been long overdue as we’ve played consistently well for a few games now.”

Ryton manager Dave Hagan said: “Chester stepped up their workrate and we couldn’t go with them. They deservedly won.”

Northallerton beat a disappointing Crook by 3-0 at Ainderby Road., Colin Anderson, Peter Bulmer and Stephen Butterworth scoring their goals.

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “It was a good all round performance. We had a bit of a wobble at 1-0 when they should have equalised, but once we scored the second, we were in full control.”

Crook manager Gary Pearson said: “It was a very poor performance, which was nowhere near my expectations but without making excuses we had six players missing and three lads playing their first games for Crook.”

Seaham Red Star are now looking nervously over their shoulders at bottom club Easington after they lost 5-2 at Alnwick. They took an early lead through Tim Bowman, but Alnwick surged back to lead 3-1. Michael Chapman pulled a goal back for Seaham, but it all went wrong for them after that, with defender Adam Drysdale controversially sent off for a foul, and Alnwick scoring from a disputed penalty,. Chris Moffet scored a hat trick for Alnwick.

Seaham Red star manager Steve Cook said: “I’m equally disappointed with our defending and the performance of the assistants. I am truly disillusioned. This was our season in a nutshell – created chances, didn’t take them and our own sloppy defending was punished. We should have won comfortably, but “should” is a massive word, and we haven’t got enough to change it to “did”.”

Easington couldn’t hold on to a 2-0 lead at Whickham, and had to settle for a 2-2 draw, which doesn’t help their fight against relegation much.

Chris Hall and David Paul put them into the lead, with Laurence McKenna pulling a goal back before half time. Chris Tate scored a late equaliser, with Easington claiming the ball hadn’t crossed the line.

Easington were furious that they had a third goal disallowed for the ball not crossing the line, when they claimed it had. Both teams also had a man sent off.

Easington manager Paul Adamson said: “That’s twice this week we have been on the wrong end of decisions from officials which has cost us points. It’s hard to take at the moment in our position but we will keep going and I still believe we can get off the bottom of the league.”