Washington score five away from home - but lose 13-goal thriller at Consett

The Steelmen roared into a three-goal lead inside the opening 12 minutes with Michael Sweet (2) and Josh Gray (pen) on target.

At this stage it looked all over for the Mechanics but they staged a storming recovery and struck three times in 10 minutes immediately before the interval, Mark Davison’s header and John Butler’s brace levelling the scores.

Washington then went 4-3 up with a headed own goal by Gray and Steve Hutchinson’s side was now in the driving seat.

But incredibly Consett rifled three goals in eight minutes through Jordan Nellis (2), and Nathan Steel.

Sweet completed his hat-trick to make it 7-4 only for Butler to take his personal tally to three, but in stoppage time, Sweet was again on the mark and the final score ended 8-5 in favour of the Steelmen.

Jarrow Roofing improved their chances of avoiding relegation by defeating Sunderland RCA on Wearside.

A first-half hat-trick by regular marksman Paul Chow set them on their way and although Lee Cresswell threw Martin Swales’ side a 50th-minute lifeline, Roofing quickly re-established a three-goals cushion as Luke Richardson deflected a Chow cross into his own net.

Glen Lane reduced the deficit to a couple of goals but Roofing comfortably held on and are now sixth-from-bottom, five points outside the drop zone.

West Allotment Celtic took another step on the road to safety, holding top-six side Newton Aycliffe to a goal-less draw while Seaham Red Star’s 2-1 win was a blow to West Auckland Town, who are also fighting a relegation battle.

West goalkeeper David Knight parried an effort from David Paul and Nicholas Kane tapped in from the rebound to give the visitors an early lead.

Adam Burnicle drove wide of goalkeeper Shaun Newbrook for the equaliser and midway during the second half, Craig Lynch secured the points for the Star, scoring at the second attempt.

In Division Two, Chester-le-Street are now only a point behind second-top Billingham Synthonia, and eight adrift of leaders South Shields.

The Cestrians maintained their strong challenge for one of the three promotion places when they comfortably saw off the challenge from lowly Willington at Chester Moor Park.

Leading scorer Scott Heslop and Chris Stephenson gave them a dream start, scoring with only seven minutes on the watch and just before the end, Andrew Grant Soulsby also struck.

Despite scoring first through Derek Waters, Tow Law Town went down 3-1 at Darlington RA whose matchwinners were Sam England, Rob Moncur and Nathan Wilson with a superbly struck free-kick.