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.

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.

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.

However, Jamie Poole, Stuart Elliott and Steve Bowey all struck for the Terriers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Elsewhere, Whitley Bay's inexplicable loss of form continued at Filtrona Park on Saturday where rejuvenated South Shields secured a deserved victory, Morpeth Town are third from bottom but they picked up a useful point at Consett, and Ashington consolidated third place when an only goal by Scott Blandford was sufficient at West Allotment Celtic.

Lowery and Keith Perry were in charge when the Terriers won the Skilltrainingltd Northern League championship in five successive seasons between 1998 and 2002 and is aware expectations remain high at Welfare Park.

Lowery said: "It is just a little more than two years since Keith and I returned and it takes time to rebuild a squad.

Stephen Gamble fired the visitors ahead in the eighth minute before David Southern levelled on the hour firing home from the edge of the area.

Home skipper Peter Snowdon headed the Terriers in front on 75 minutes before Gamble notched his second of the game to take the game into extra-time.

Chapman's effort in the 109th minute settled the tie when he cut inside from the left, beat a defender and lashed home from 14 yards.

Ashington continue to enjoy a purple patch and remain third after defeating Shildon at Woodhorn Lane courtesy of goals by Andrew Johnson and Keith Douglas (pen).

Defeat by Tow Law Town cost Whitley Bay pole position and Spennymoor Town returned to the top with a five-goal rout of neighbours West Auckland Town.

A Graham Anthony penalty had the Cumbrians in front for 46 minutes before Anthony Shandran looked to have earned Terriers a point, but two minutes from time Wayne Robertson scrambled the ball home to earn a 2-1 win.

Meanwhile, Ashington consolidated third place in the Northern League with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Billingham Town and it's now neck and neck at the top of Division One after Spennymoor Town inflicted a first defeat of the season on Whitley Bay.