North Shields took another step towards the championship defeating Annfield Plain on Wednesday night but they had to withstand a good performance from the North West Durham League side who belied their lowly position.

In fact, the Plain took the lead in the first minute through Gareth Slavin and it was not until the 35th minute that Eddie Miller levelled from the edge of the penalty area.

Just after the break, Anthony Robson put the Robins in front and midway through the second period the former Stanley United striker Stephen Hamil made the final score 3-1.

"They gave us a good game but the important thing at this stage of the season is to win the points," said Robins secretary David Thompson. "Once we went two goals up I always thought we had the match and in the end we were comfortable."

North Shields go into tomorrow's fixture against second-from-bottom Ferryhill Athletic five points ahead of Birtley Town and they still have a couple of games in hand on their closest rivals.

Stokesley SC are third and the only other side in a position to overtake the Shieldsmen.

They hit New Marske with a 5-0 defeat during mid week but are still 12 points adrift of the Robins although they have two additional fixtures to fulfil and the sides have yet to play each other in what could be a crunch encounter.

Jonathan Newton rifled a hat-trick and Stephen Pennock bagged a brace of goals as Stokesley became the first side to reach three figures. They have scored 103 goals in just 26 appearances and conceded only 28.

In other mid week games, Wolviston edged Jarrow by an only goal scored by David Dowd following good work by Shaun Sproat and Barnard Castle Glaxo went down 4-1 visiting Whitehaven where Darren Harrison was on target for the visitors who are third from bottom.

Glaxo have conceded 113 goals - 13 fewer than Washington Nissan UK who prop up the table. Ferryhill Athletic are tucked in between the pair and they have leaked 104 goals.

The semi finals of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup will be staged tomorrow when the match of the day is between Stokesley SC and Birtley Town. The other semi pairs Boldon CA and Gateshead Reserves.

Saturday's results: Wearside League: Boldon CA 8, Barnard Castle Glaxo 0; Ferryhill Athletic 1, Darlington RA 3; Jarrow 2, Harton and Westoe 2; North Shields 3, Windscale 0.

Wearside League Cup Quarter Finals: Birtley Town 1, Gateshead Reserves 0; New Marske 1, Wolviston 3; Stokesley SC 3, Annfield Plain 2 (aet); Whitehaven 1, Cleadon SC 3.

Wednesday's results: Wearside League: Annfield Plain 1, North Shields 3; Wolviston 1, Jarrow 0; Stokesley 5, New Marske 0; Whitehaven 4, Barnard Castle Glaxo 1; Birtley Town v Ferryhill Athletic, match postponed, ground unfit.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Wearside League (2.30pm): Annfield Plain v Harton and Westoe, New Marske v Cleadon SC, North Shields v Ferryhill Athletic, Washington Nissan UK v Whitehaven, Windscale v Wolviston.

Monkwearmouth Charity Cup semi finals (2pm): Boldon CA v Gateshead Reserves, Stokesley SC v Birtley Town).

Monday's fixtures: Wearside League (6.30pm): New Marske v Ryhope CW, Washington Nissan UK v Stokesley SC.