Belford House moved to top spot, a point above the opposition Coxhoe Athletic, beating them 2-0 despite having lost one of their influential players, Ian Loughlan, with a broken shinbone.

Belford went in front on the hour when Stuart Burton hit the net with a cracking free kick from 20 yards. John Cogger made it 2-0 in the 85th minute, scoring a penalty when Michael Agnew was brought down.

Seaham Mallard shared the points in a 2-2 draw with Whitehill FC. Stephen Jackson put Whitehill in front in the first minute hitting the top left side of he net with a free kick from 20 yards. Michael Wellburn levelled for the Mallard in four minutes tapping the ball into the net when Whitehill's keeper dropped the ball at his feet. Daren Burnham put Whitehill in front on 55 minute's, side footing the ball past the keeper from a right wing cross. Wellburn got his second for Mallard in 85 minutes to share the points.

Durham University won 4-1 at home to Seaham Town. The town went ahead with a goal from Scott Burns on 18 minutes then gave Durham an equaliser two minutes later with an own goal. David Blacklock made it 2-1 to Durham scoring from a penalty kick. A nice volley by Ben Whicks made it 3-1 in the first half. Ten minutes into the second half, Paddy Grove made it 4-1 to the University.

Durham City Reserves crushed Hartlepool Town 5-0 in the quarter final of the League Challenge Cup. Barry Cook was outstanding, being part of play in four of the goals. Cook scored the first with a simple tap-in on 30 minutes. Five minutes later Trevor Walker scored a similar goal to give the City a 2-0 lead in the first half. On 55 minutes an in swinging corner by Barry Cook was met by Lee Butler to make it 3-0 with a bullet header. After 70 minutes Cook cleverly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper to make it four. Scott Hembrough scored the goal of the match, He travelled down the left wing from his own half, played a one two with Cook before slipping the ball past the keeper. The City Reserves now play Belford House in the semi-final. The other teams competing for a place in the final are Seaham Mallard and Coxhoe Athletic.

Brandon Prince Bishop go through to the next round of the Auckland Charity Cup with a 6-1 away win against Heighington. Paul Elliot, Dave Fort, Michael Fort, Anthony Smith, John Templeton and an own goal made it six for Brandon with Mark Butt replying for Heighington.

Saturday's results: Birtley Town Res. 8 Simonside SC 2, Coxhoe Athletic 0 Belford House FC 2, Durham University FC 4 Seaham Town CFC 1, Duham Victoria Bridge v Ebchester FC - postponed, Seaham Mallard 2 Whitehill FC 2.

League Challenge Cup: Durham City Afc Res. 5 Hartlepool Town 0.

Auckland Charity Cup: Heighington 1 Brandon Prince Bishop 6.

South Durham Bowl: Darlington CB 0 Shildon Railway FC 4.