FA Premier League

Sunderland are clinging to their National Division lifeline after Cardiff again failed to make any ground on the Black Cats at the weekend.

The Bluebirds went down 3-0 at home to Charlton Athletic in their last ever match at Leckwith Athletics Stadium, which is being demolished to make way for Cardiff's new ground.

It leaves City with two remaining fixtures, both away, at Doncaster Rovers Belles this Sunday and at Chalrton, on May 13, in their bid to gain the two points needed to overhaul Sunderland to avoid relegation.

Sunderland completed their fixtures last month and are left sweating on the outcome of Cardiff's last two games before knowing their fate.

In the Northern Division a late equaliser by Preston's Fiona Dransfield deprived Newcastle a home victory last Sunday.

Sarah Bennett put Newcastle ahead after 56 minutes, but United were guilty of missing several opportunities to add to their lead, before North End's 88th minute leveller.

The 1-1 draw leaves Newcastle eighth, with another home game, against Aston Villa, at the Wheatsheaf ground this Sunday.

Northern Combination

Long-time leaders Middlesbrough appear to have blown their title chances after a 1-0 defeat in their top-of-the-table match at Sheffield Wednesday.

The game was settled by Rachel Skeemer's long distance strike three minutes into the second half, leaving Wednesday needing only a point from Sunday's final fixture, at second bottom Blackpool Wren Rovers, to ensure a return to the FA Premier North Division after a two-year absence.

They will be joined by South Yorkshire neighbours Rotherham United who have already sealed the Midlands Combination title.

Boro are left probably fighting for second spot with Leeds City Vixens, who they need to beat in Sunday's final fixture to become runners-up.

Further down the table hat-tricks by Vicky Mudd and Amanda Ross, plus a further goal by Joanne Moncur, gave Peterlee Town a 7-0 win, their biggest victory of the season, against hapless Hull City.

South Durham Royals picked up a point on their travels with a 2-2 draw at Caernarfon Town, in north Wales.

North-East Premier League

THE big game of the week was in the Northern Division, with the highly-awaited return clash between the top two sides, Darlington RA and Whitley Bay.

Following a 2-2 draw in their recent meeting, at Hillheads, Railway Athletic were in the driving seat having dropped three fewer points than Whitley Bay.

Things were on track for RA in the return when Emma Mcintosh put them in front, before Laura Darmody levelled by half-time.

Whitley Bay sealed the points, however, with two second-half goals by Stacy Naples and one by Helen Graham, to earn a 4-1 victory.

Goal difference now looks like settling the outcome of the title, with Whitley Bay holding a slight advantage, but with one fewer game remaining.

They are away at Blyth Town in their final match, while RA are at Spennymoor, on Sunday, with a home game against Glendale, on May 13, when they could clinch the title.