West Cornforth won their sixth successive game by defeating Houghton Cricktet Club 1-0 away from home.

It was a very close and open game with the result in doubt until the final whistle. Cornforth took the lead after ten minutes when Gordon Metcalfe lobbed a loose ball over the keeper from a corner by Davy Kendall which had not been cleared.

Cornforth's keeper Stephen Jennings pulling off numerous great saves to deny the home side grabbing an equaliser. David Graham was outstanding in midfield for the visitors.

At long last Crook Town revealed their true form that should gain them promotion. They won 6-0 at home against previously third-placed Toll Bar and are now fourth from bottom and with 17 matches still to be played, it they emulate West Cornforth they should be thereabouts at the end of the season.

Durham City Strollers did well, they won 4-3 away to Hartlepool RNC. In the Premier, Darlington Croft lost 5-0 at home against Holywell Fat Ox. Their manager Ian Glenning said they are learning the hard way that if you make mistakes in the Premier you are always punished for them.

In the first half Croft made three silly errors and ended up 3-0 down at the interval. The restart saw the Croft making a spirited comeback but were caught out at the back in a breakaway on two occasions. Darlington are a better side than the score implies and given a tightening up of their defence they have very reason to hope they will end up in mid-table.

Ferryhill Greyhound are experiencing a lean spell, a cup defeat and two league games lost is not their true form, leading 2-0 they somehow lost their way and ended up losing 3-2 at home to Killingworth. John Grady and McQuade had putting them in a winning position 20 minutes from time and then all went wrong. This is the way of football and these mistakes must be rectified as soon as possible so that a winning run can be restarted.

Norton & Stockton who are desperately trying to come up with a winning formation, lost 2-0 at home to Marden. It was a fairly even match with Marden finding the net on two occasion and Norton unable to do just that. It is merely a question of time before Norton find their previous form but unfortunately time is not on their side. In Division I, Consett Duke of Wellington are the new leaders, they won 1-0 away to Sedgefield, Shane Peacock scoring the vital goal.

Division II, Billingham Town lost 2-0 at home to Red House WMC. The first half was very close and ended 0-0. The restart saw Red House just having the edge and scoring twice through Ray and Arthur Ferguson. Stars were Geoff Heslop and Brian Stephenson. Langley Park Rams Head returned to form, winning 4-0 away to Hebburn.

Darlington Railway turned in a much improved display to draw 1-1 away to third-placed Spring Gardens. The first half ended 0-0 with both sides missing chances. After the restart Micky Griffiths scored to put the home side 1-0 up but Darlington to their credit never gave up trying and in a grandstand finish scored the equaliser and take a share of the points.

Wynyard Veterans showed just how good they are by defeating Whitley Bay 7-2 at home. Their marksmen were Freddie Surplus (3), Peter Boagie (2), Peter Boldison and Alan Jackson one apiece. Other players deserving a mention were Mel Wright and David Lawson.