Seventh-placed Bedlington Terriers missed a chance to gain ground on the teams at the top of the Northern League table at the weekend.
Chester-le-Street ended a losing sequence by taking a point from the Terriers, for whom captain Steve Bowey cancelled out Nathan Fisher's goal.
Spennymoor Town are the team to beat in the race for the championship, as they opened up a 12-point lead with victory over fifth-top South Shields.
West Allotment Celtic 0, Bedlington Terriers 0
Bedlington Terriers failed to make it three wins on the bounce since they returned to action when West Allotment Celtic held them to a goalless draw in last night's Skilltrainingltd Northern League First Division game.
While joint manager Tony Lowery might be disappointed with the result, his opposite number Paul Bennett will be delighted Celtic kept a clean sheet for the first time in 16 matches.
The home side had strong appeals for a penalty turned down and at the other end, David Southern was close to giving Terriers the lead. His free-kick crashed against the crossbar with goalkeeper Chris Bannon completely beaten.
Celtic almost grabbed a winning goal in stoppage time. Former West Bromwich Albion player Stuart Nicholson was denied by a splendid save by Newton, who deservedly earned his side a point.
Bedlington Terriers moved up into sixth place with victory at relegation-threatened Esh Winning.
Steve Bowey beat goalkeeper Andrew Spence from the penalty spot and Jamie Poole doubled the lead. The game was into the last minute as Craig Coates replied, converting the second penalty of the game.
Bedlington Terriers needed to be at their best to see off a strong challenge from relegation-threatened Horden CW for whom 18-year old Liam Beeston celebrated his return following a four-month lay-off with a superb goal.
However, Jamie Poole, Stuart Elliott and Steve Bowey all struck for the Terriers.
Bedlington Terriers drew in their Northern League encounter with Shildon this weekend. Former Newcastle Blue Star player Steve Bowey fired Bedlington Terriers ahead, but Shildon hit back to take a point with a goal from Danny Richmond.
Elsewhere, Ashington continued to enjoy their most successful season in years after overcoming Bishop Auckland. West Auckland remain bottom and Morpeth Town are immediately above them - despite winning the bottom-three clash at Horden CW.
Ashington enjoyed an easy passage into the semi-finals of the Northumberland FA Senior Cup with a 3-0 victory at Bedlington Terriers last night. The Colliers made a dream start, scoring twice in the opening 16 minutes.
Skipper Iain Nickalls headed in a free-kick on 12 minutes and Robbie Cockburn's shot took a deflection wide of goal-keeper Paul Newton.
It was just about all over for Terriers on the stroke of half-time when Keith Douglas left Newton helpless from the penalty spot.
Ashington join Newcastle United Reserves, Blyth Spartans and Whitley Bay in the semi-finals.
David Southern, Ben Christensen, Jamie Poole and Mark Sheeran joined in a 4-0 romp for Bedlington Terriers at Billingham Town in the Skilltrainingltd Northern League.
In this weekend's Northern League fixture Bedlington Terriers failed to recover at Billingham Synthonia who struck twice in the opening half through James Magowan and Danny Earl.
Elsewhere, Ashington left it late before defeating Norton and Stockton Ancients with a last-minute winner by Scott Blandford, after Joe Race had cancelled out Sonny Andrews' first-half effort. The goals continue to flow for the two leading sides, and although Whitley Bay are the top marksmen, it's Spennymoor Town who are at the top.
Bedlington Terriers enjoyed a four-goal victory over West Auckland Town in the Northern League with Tony Shandran, Steve Bowey, Gareth McAlindon and Jamie Poole all beating goalkeeper Nick Thomas.
Elsewhere, a powerful second-half performance was rewarded with three goals as table-topping Spennymoor Town ended comfortable winners in the local derby at Shildon, while second-placed Whitley Bay trailed for 47 minutes at Newcastle Benfield before a strong finish earned them the points.
Ashington remain third and they comfortably won at Ryton with strikes from Joe Race, Robbie Cockburn and Mark O'Dea. South Shields made it seven wins on the trot and are equal on points with the Colliers.
Bedlington Terriers were well beaten in the FA Carlsberg Vase by Spennymoor Town, who are predicted to go far.
The result was just about decided in the opening 24 minutes, by which time Moors led through Gavin Cogden, Stephen Capper and Chris Emms.
Steve Bowey did throw Terriers a lifeline but the visitors maintained the offensive and a brace of goals from Gareth Waite swept them to an emphatic victory.
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