Hebburn went into second place in the second division and ended Washington's unbeaten record tonight.

Hebburn beat their vistors 3-1, thanks to two goals by Liam McBryde and another by Dean Nicholson, with Jeff Forsyth putting through his own goal for Washington's response.

Hebburn's win means that Darlington RA will be top going into the weekend programme.. Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: "We would have scored more if it hadn't been for some good saves by their keeper. We're not finishing our chances well."

Washington manager Richie Latimer said: "It was always going to be hard for us with six players missing, but that's taking nothing away from Hebburn who deserved the three points."

Birtley are now up to eighth after their third win in five days, this time at Chester-le-Street by 2-1. Steve Telford and Andy McIntosh scored within four minutes of the start of the second half, with Sam Renwick replying. Birtley manager Scott Oliver said: "We had a poor first half, but a much better second. We're hard to break down at the moment."

Chester manager Grant Crookes: "Yet again we had an excellent first half in which Birtley didn't have any clear cut chances. We applied the pressure at 2-0 down, and scored a deserved goal, but couldn't find the opeining to equalise. Overall a decent performance with a very disappointing result."