Darlington's Keith Murray, the North of England cyclo-cross champion, had to settle for second place on the day but moved into an overall lead in round three of the North Eastern CCA-Science in Sport.com League on the Hetton Lyons circuit.

Victory in the 12-mile race went to Northallerton's Noel Clough, riding for Middridge CRT, who made his winning move near the start of the second of nine laps and held on for victory.

With Clough having missed the second round, the big battle was for the league leadership between Murray (MBUK-Scott) and his former team-mate Stuart Wearmouth, back in the colours of MTS Cycle Sport.

They were tied after the first two rounds, and Murray jumped Wearmouth on a climb midway round the final circuit to cross the line just five seconds ahead. It gave Murray a boost of confidence before he competes in an Armistice Day race in Belgium - the world capital of cyclo-cross - today.

Wearmouth, the former world championship rider who is returning to his best form after missing last season for personal reasons, held on for third place ahead of Kenny Johnson (Science in Sport.com) and top veteran Terry Tiffen (Cestria CC).

Johnson and Tiffen had been locked in battle for most of the race, and although Tiffen eventually lost out, he had the consolation of taking the veterans' prize on a day of mixed fortunes when his son and Cestria CC team-mate Darren, the favourite to take the junior prize, crashed and retired. Taking his place as leading junior was Craig Anderson (Hetton Hawks).

Kendra White, of Cleveland Wheelers, won the women's prize.