Spennymoor maintained their perfect start to the league season when they won 4-0 at South Shields , their eighth win from eight league games, but assistant manager Gavin Fell says that records aren’t on their minds.

Moors are six points behind leaders Darlington, but have three games in hand and a much better defensive record as they have yet to concede a goal in 720 minutes of league football.

Fell said: “That was probably our best performance of the season. Everyone is talking about who’ll be the first to score against us, but we’re not even thinking about that. All we’re concentrating on is working hard defensively as a team, and making sure that we have the right attitude.”

Moors took the lead when Keith Graydon found Wayne Phillips, who controlled the ball well and fired across the keeper.

Gavin Cogdon made it 2-0 when Mark Davison headed down a cross by Kallum Griffiths, then Davison fired the third. Cogdon then grabbed his ninth league goal of the season near the end.

Darlington are still six points clear at the top after they beat Newcastle Benfield 5-2 at Heritage Park.

Read Craig Stoddart’s match report in the Darlington section.

Darlington manager Martin Gray said: “I thought that was our best performance of the season. Steve Thompson was superb, he was at the heart of everything, and he’ll steadily gain an understanding with the other players around him.”

Newcastle Benfield manager Perry Briggs said: “Darlington’s front two were very good, and they made a big difference, We were very naïve, but nevertheless, Darlington will take some beating.”

Newton Aycliffe , on the other hand, had cause to dislike the figure eight when they were hammered 8-0 at home by Billingham Town in their basement battle.

Aycliffe nearly scored first though when Danny Earl hit the bar, but Town broke through on 28 minutes when Steve Flockett scored in a goalmouth scramble. Within a minute Craig Perry made it 2-0, and then Aycliffe had keeper Scott Pocklington dismissed for fouling Nicky Martin, so 17 year old Ryan Farley went in goal. Farley saved the penalty, but Perry scored from the rebound.

It was the proverbial one way traffic after that, with Jamie Owens scoring a second half hat trick, with James Middleton and Craig Norman scoring the others.

Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett said: “I can’t fault the players, it was a really good team performance. It all clicked for us, even before their keeper was sent off. I can’t remember when we didn’t concede in a game last.”

Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver said: “We had a team meeting after the game, and I told the players my feelings. We’re all determined to turn this around, and the players , to a man, want to prove that we’re not that bad.”

Bedlington are now third on their own after beating Team Northumbria 5-1 at Welfare Park. They took the lead in the opening minute through Craig Baxter from a free kick, only for TN to level when Dan Riley set up John Sherlock for a simple tap in. Paul Brayson restored their lead from the spot and Steve Bowey headed the third just before half time. Kris Gate set up Brayson to chip the fourth just after half time, with Lawrence McKenna firing a late fifth.

Team Northumbria manager Paul Johnson said: “I was massively disappointed with our performance. Once again our mistakes cost us which gave them an early foothold in the game and when the ref awarded a very soft penalty they gained the advantage again. But what is annoying, when other teams make mistakes we haven’t punished them.

“The biggest change we will implement as a lesson learned is to be far more aggressive in our determination to win the ball all over the pitch.”

West Auckland scored twice in the last 15 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw at Whitley Bay.

The home side scored in the opening minutes when Ashley Davis scored from a few yards following a Paul Chow assist, and Chris Reid headed the second from a free kick on 19 minutes, But Reid was shown his second yellow card on the hour to open the door for West to get back into the game. Dan Hindmarch scored with a shot into the bottom corner, and Elliott Gardner levelled from a few yards.

West Auckland manager Peter Dixon said: “We keep giving teams starts, and then have to fight back. For a neutral, we must be the best team in the league to watch. It’s typical of West Auckland, coming back to earn a draw.”

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: “We were in control until we had Chris Reid sent off for a second yellow. We were 2-0 up and in total control. We conceded a soft second goal on 85 minutes, our keeper Kyle Hayes was disappointed with himself not to hold on to the shot.”

Shildon drew 1-1 at Billingham Synthonia. They took the lead when Sam Garvie scored from a Robert Briggs pass, and they missed some good chances to score a second.

But Synners improved in the second half , and Danny Newby levelled with an effort from the edge of the area. Steve Huggins nearly won the game for Synners, but he fired over the bar.

Shildon manager Gary Forrest said: “We had a good first half, but we couldn’t get going in the second half.”

Billingham Synthonia assistant manager Lee Tucker said: I was really pleased with the result, and even happier with our second half performance against a good Shildon side. We had some great chances to win the game but we have shown great character after last week’s game against Bedlington to get four points against two top sides.”

Guisborough are now up to eighth place after beating Ashington at the King George. Both teams had chances before Guisborough scored the winner in the second half, a left foot screamer by Lewis Wood.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: “First was a very tight affair with little to choose from between either side. In the second half we controlled the tempo of the game for the full duration, and it was wonder strike by Lewis. On paper this was a real tough task today, in reality the game was controlled through out by us.”

Hebburn recovered from a poor result last weekend to win 3-2 at Consett . Paul Gardiner put Hebburn into the lead from close range, but Craig Robson scored direct from a corner for the equaliser. Kirkup pounced on a mistake to restore Hebburn’s lead, but at the other end, David scorer set up Steve Aiston for a second equaliser. But with just a minute left, Paul Gardiner broke away and scored the winner.

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said: “Overall we dominated possession but conceded goals due to horrendous defending. We could have won it in stoppage time with a shot by Calvin Smith, but they went up the other end and scored. I’m very disappointed with our defensive frailties.”

Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: “It was a superb response to last week’s defeat. We changed our style of play to adapt to the conditions. However, like the Vase game, it wasn’t the best and chances were limited, but any team that comes away from Consett with three points has to be happy.”

Dunston are still in the bottom three after they could only draw 2-2 at Penrith. They had plenty of the first half, but it was Penrith who took the lead after 52 minutes with an effort by Martyn Coleman, then seven minutes later Dan Rayson made it 2-0.

But Dunston pulled a goal back when Lee McAndrew scored from a Terry Galbraith cross, then Steve Goddard headed the equaliser on 63 minutes. Dunston’s Micky Dixon nearly won it, but his header hit the bar.

Dunston manager Billy Irwin said: “We’re unable to keep clean sheets, we were guilty of some terrible defending.”

Norton moved out of the bottom five with a 2-1 away win at Durham City. Anthony Hume gave them the lead after just 5 minutes as the Durham defence hesitated, and Liam Woodhouse got the second after 20. Gary Shaw pulled a goal back for Durham in the second half, but they couldn’t equalise, and to make matters worse, had Elliott Cutts sent off.

Norton manager Andy Campbell said: “We scored two good goals, and defended brilliantly over the 90 minutes.”

Durham manager Dickie Ord said: “We were poor.”

Sunderland RCA withstood a late fightback from Marske United for a 3-2 win. Aristote Guerin-Lokonga headed the RCA into the lead from a corner, then Gavin Barton scored the second from the edge of the box. Barton made it 3-0 at the start of the second half, but in the last 20 minutes Marske gave the RCA a scare, with two goals by David Onions.

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon said: “We were cruising at 3-0 with 65 minutes gone, but our defence and keeper went missing for the last 25 minutes and we hung on to win. It was unbelievable how bad we were in the last 25 minutes.”

Ryhope CW striker Chris Winn, who has been training with Hartlepool , ran riot at Washington , scoring five times in their 6-0 win to give him 18 league goals for the season. Nathan O’Neill scored the other to keep them five points clear at the top.

Ryhope CW manager Martin Swailes said: “Chris was superb. He trained with Hartlepool in midweek and was shattered for our game at Horden, but a day’s rest has done him the power of good.”

Northallerton stayed in touch with the leaders, winning 2-0 at Stokesley . The home side battled well, but Northallerton took the lead midway through the second half when Marcus Laing scored with a header from a corner, then Colin Anderson fired the second in the last minute.

Stokesley manager Chris Lax said: “we didn’t deserve to get beat. We dominated the first half, and yet again a corner beat us. Overall it was a good battling performance.”

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “Another tough game playing against the wind in the first half saw us struggle to get any real momentum and their keeper was on a one man mission to keep them in the game. Stokesley worked hard and made life difficult for us but it’s another three points and nice to get back to keeping a clean sheet.”

Darlington RA striker Steve Allison was also on the goals trail, scoring all of his side’s in their 3-1 home win over Horden. Allison headed the RA into the lead on 21 minutes, and then he fired the second from the edge of the box on 55. Horden pulled a goal back through a Darren Atkinson free kick, but then Allison finished off a good move to complete his hat trick.

Darlington Ra assistant manager Jamie Smith said: “It was a good hat trick by Steve, he finished off three well-worked moves, But we’re still not firing on all cylinders.”

Whitehaven are level with the RA on points after a goal by Craig Robson gave them victory over West Allotment.

Chester-le-Street are sliding down the table after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Jarrow Roofing, Darren Reay scoring the goal 15 minutes from the end for the visitors who are now up to sixth.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said: “We never got started, and the inconsistency from game to game is frightening. It was nowhere near good enough for either me or most importantly the club.”

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said: “It was hard game, and we had a lot of players out. I’m happy with the win, but we need to hit the net more.”

Tow Law scored a late equaliser to earn a point in a 2-2 draw at Whickham. Tow Law took an early lead through Lewis Harrison but Alu Bangura and Tony Thirkell hit back for the home side. However, Michael Stothard levelled late on for Lawyers.

Crook Town just managed to scrape past Alnwick 3-2, thanks to a late winner by Warren Byrne. Kyle Davis seemed to put Crook in the droving seat, but lowly Alnwick hit back to equalise through Jon Colley and Danny Thompson.

Crook manager Gary Pearson said: “We’re still not very convincing. Too many mistakes make it difficult for us, but a win is a win.”

Esh Winning have now lost three in a row after losing 2-1 at home to North Shields , who scored both of their goals in the first half through recent signing Rob Nolan and .Ben Richardson, before Steve Oakley pulled a goal back after half time. Keith Douglas also missed a penalty for the visitors.

Morpeth still possess the only unbeaten record in the division after they won 2-0 at Ryton, with goals by Chris Lunn and Micky Chilton.

Seaham Red Star had an excellent 4-0 home win over Brandon to put them into 11th and Brandon into the bottom three. Craig Malley put them into the lead after 9 minutes, and in the second half Michael McKeown, Dean Patton and Paul Kane made it 4-0.

Birtley picked up three welcome points by beating Thornaby 4-1 and move out of the bottom four. Thornaby took the lead through Charlie Teasdale, but Birtley hit back through Luke Wilson (2), Craig Marron and John Martin.

Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: “Nothing else mattered but the win today. Four new signings gave us good options from the bench, It was an anxious first half, but a much better second half.”

Seaham manager Mark Collingwood said: “Despite the windy conditions we played fantastic. We needed that after our horror show last week. We were clinical in front of goal and we defended much better today.”

Bishop Auckland are through to the next round of the Durham Challenge Cup after they won 3-0 at Stockton Town.

Andrew Johnson gave them a 17th minute lead from a Sonny Andrews pass on 17 minutes, and four minutes later Andrews scored direct from a free kick, and again on 43 minutes. Bishops keeper Peter Jeffries saved a penalty in the second half.

Bishops now play South Shields at home in the next round.

In the FA Trophy, two late goals by Graeme Armstrong and Shane Henry gave Whitby a 3-1 away win at Chorley, while Blyth went out 4-1 at Witton Albion, Darryl Donnelly scoring their goal.