Premier Division, West Park 2 Shakespeare 4: A much improved performance by Shakespeare saw them home against a weakened West Park side who now find themselves in trouble at the wrong end of the table.

David Lahney put the visitors ahead from a tight angle in just the first minute but Stu Robinson kept his nerve to equalise. Jamie Arthur set up Scot Newbiggen to put Park ahead and they could have added to their lead but when Jon Dunning's header came back off the bar and Lee Dees shot straight at the keeper. The visitors took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and equalised when intense pressure led to an own goal. Two defensive errors virtually gifted the game to Shakespeare - from one Keith Brookbanks rolled the ball home from 25 yards.

Second Division

King Johns Tavern 3 Ath. Mill House 1

King Johns took advantage of poor defending to take the lead then quickly doubled it before the break. Athletic came out with a better approach in the second half and pulled one back through Gary Hansford's bullet header. They pressed on in search of an equaliser but were rocked by a third from King Johns from which they never recovered. Best for Athletic were Chris Bage and Shane Bean.

John Dowson Memorial Cup

Charter Bar 1 Supporters Athletic 2

Second Division Charter Bar unsettled their Premier Division opponents and took the lead with David Bruce's 35 yard strike. A strong, well-organised defence in front of keeper Peter Freeman enabled the, to hold on to their lead until the break. However, two late strikes from, Mick Gallagher and Mark Hudson saw the top flight side scrape through into the next round.

Corner Flag 1 Stranton Athletic 4

A deserved victory for Stranton with Flag under the cosh from the off and only saves from Steve Grazier kept them in it till the break. Once the keeper had been dismissed, Flag had no answer and Stranton scored two two-goal bursts either side of Gray's consolation goal. Best for Flag were Coull and Grazier.

Fens 1 Burn Valley Club 3

Fens pressed for much of the first half but it was Valley who took the chances and Ian Davies broke clear to chip the keeper then David Watson scored in similar fashion. Fens took the game to Valley in the second half and were rewarded with Neil Riley's header after good work from Martin Edmondson. But with Fens looking for an equaliser, Edmondson added the third.

Greatham Bull & Dog 0 Clarendon 4

Paul Jewson's pin-point cross was met by top-scorer Marty Waggott's superb header, and with Hagon and Turner defending well, Bull & Dog struggled to make an impact. Waggott had chances to increase the scoreline before he did so from Chris Barlow's through ball. He completed his hat-trick after the lively Lee Connor had been felled in the box, and the roles were reversed when he flicked on for the youngster to make it four. Ritchie Boddy was the only Bull player to emerge with credit with Hagon, Barlow, Turner and Waggott best for the victors.

Rovers 7 Odessa 4

The home side were shocked in the first 20 minutes as it was all Odessa who would have been three goals to the good had it not been for great saves by Gary Eason. It was Rovers who eventually did take the lead with a fine chip but Andrew Burton levelled within three minutes. Rovers took control with a quick pair of goals before the break. The hard-working Jonathon Crane pulled another back but Rovers added two more. Crane slotted home a penalty to keep Odessa in the game and when Craig Bell slotted home Shaun Winwood's fine cross it was all to play for. However Rovers soaked up the visitors' attacks and added two more on the break.

St Josephs 1 Tunstall Old Boys 2

Tunstall took the lead when St Joes gifted them a penalty and added another from a free-kick. St Joes spent much of the second half camped in their opponents' half but could not convert their chances. Glen Coleman eventually pulled a goal back to set up a tense last five minutes but the visitors held on.

St Francis 3 Moorcock 1

The home side took the lead when Simon Hoey's effort was deflected home by Phillips and Anthony Coverdale added the second from the spot. Moorcock pressed throughout the game but could not convert their chances and Phillip Bassett finished well from Marc Clouston's through ball. Moorcock finally won their reward when the hard-working John Butterfield scored from the spot after Mark Stewart was fouled.

Other results: Ye Olde Durhams 3 Blackhall Cricket Club 2, Hartlepool Cricket Club 1 Belle Vue 0, Owton Lodge 1 Seaton Holy Trinity 3 (abandoned after 50 minutes).

Crook and

District League

Willington WMC moved up to second with after beating Crook White Swan. After a goalless first half Ian Woodhall and Malcolm McWilliams put Willington 2-0 up.

Peter Lonsdale pulled one back and Willington then had a man sent off. Despite the setback Willington added a third through Stephen Lee.

Stanhope Town were well marshalled at the back by Tim McKellar and they turned in a much better performance against title contenders West Auckland Queens Head. West missed a penalty but won 1-0 with a long-range first half goal from Darren Wilson. Stanhope deserved a share of the points but a last minute chance came back off the post.

Wearhead United turned in their best 45 minutes of the season and led Tow Law Station 4-0 at half time through Chris Fairless, Paul Tennick (2) and Jeff Liddle.

Stephen Umpleby notched a consolation but Wearhead deserved their second consecutive victory that moved them up three places.

Evenwood had keeper Ben Howe to thank for his fine display in their 2-0 win at Coundon and Leeholme Juniors in the Norman Wright Trophy. Kevin Watson gave Evenwood the lead midway through the first half and added a second shortly after half time.

Roddymoor's Simon Smurthwaite was sent off at home to Bishop Rugby Club and this proved a turning point.

Paul Barker had given Rugby Club a tenth minute lead that Alan Hawkey cancelled out.

Rugby Club brought Dwayne Hinds on in the second half and he scored twice to earn his side a 3-1 win.

Howden Australian and Stanley United were evenly matched but John Conley headed the Australian into a first half lead.

Jay Hicks made it 2-0 in the second half and Howden then defended well to thwart the visitors.