Spennymoor Town dropped points in a game for only the second time this season when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Sunderland RCA last night.

Former RCA midfielder Joe Walton gave Moors the lead, when he scored from the rebound after RCA keeper Craig Shields blocked his penalty. Shields was an early sub for Neal Atkinson, who went off injured.

Moors were awarded another penalty soon after half time, but this time Wayne Phillips hit the post and was unable to score from the rebound.

Moors hit the post another three times in the game, but RCA improved as the second half went on, and former Moors striker Gavin Barton headed  the equaliser from Jamie Fryatt's cross with 15 minutes left.

Moors are now seven points behind leaders Darlington with two games in hand, but are still unbeaten in 16 games.

Manager Jason Ainsley said: "Missed chances cost us. We hit the woodwork three times, missed a penalty a t1-0 which would have killed the game. Fair play to RCA they battled well in the second half and scored with their only shot on target. I'm disappointed as it's two points dropped."

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon said: "It wasa thoroughly deserved point for us, we came back well in the last 25 minutes and could even have won it."

Third placed Bedlington also dropped points in a 4-4 draw at Billingham Town, after they looked to have the game won when they led 4-1 midway through the second half.

Glen Butterworth gave Town the lead from a four man move, but Steve Bowey broke away and levelled on 38 minutes. He headed another from an Alan O’Brien cross just before half time, and in the second half, O’Brien created two more for Mark Doninger.

Town pulled a goal back on 58 minutes through Danny Wray, then on 78 minutes Micky Dunwell set up Butterworth to pull another back. Butterworth snatched a draw with two minutes left, with a deflected free kick from 35 yards.

Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett said: "There were so many chances in the game, either team could have scored 7 or 8. I was very pleased with the lads for fighting back from 4-1 down."

Whitley Bay easily won 6-1 at bottom club South Shields, their best win of the season so far. They scored all seven goals in the game. Lee Paul Scroggins’ opener was cancelled out by an own goal from James Fairley. But then Whitley took full control, and after Paul Chow made it 2-1 at half time, they crushed Shields in the second half. Chow scored another to give him 14 league goals for the season, with Paul Robinson, Ash Davis and Lee Kerr getting the others.

Whitley manager Ian Chandler said: "To be honest, we were poor in the first half, and staretd the second half slowly, but then we went into top gear for 25 minutes when we scored four and created 5 or 6 other chances."

In the second division, Seaham Red Star are now joint fifth after they beat Horden 3-0, with goals by Ivan Stoyanov, Mark Catcheside and Peter Kane. Manager Mark Collingwood said: "The game was won inthe first 20 minutes. It's another three points, and my only disappointment was that the scoreline wasn't bigger."

West Allotment striker David Dormand scored twice in their comfortable 4-0 away win at Alnwick, who remain nine points adrift of safety. West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said: "Really pleased to score four and not concede. It could have been six or seven. I'm disappointed with Ian Dunn's sending off, he raised his hands and you can't do that."

Ryton had a good 1-0 away win at neighbours Birtley, whose manager Scott Oliver said: "It was a game we couldn't afford to lose. A classic tale. We missed some great chances in the second half, confidence is low at the moment."

Whickham drew 1-1 with Chester-le-Street. Scott Goldsmith-Scott gave Whickham the lead, but Kieron McDonald equalised. Chester manager Colin Wake said: "The wind and referee spoiled the game. We huffed and puffed throughout but no fluency like Saturday. But you always get a battle when you come to Whickham."

In the league cup, Durham City won 3-1 at Penrith, They took an early lead with an Olly Hotchkiss penalty after Conor Winter was brought down, and in the second half, Hotchkiss and dan Madden scored again. Penrith scored their consolation in the last minute through Martyn Coleman.

The match between Whitehaven and Hebburn was postponed.