Hartlepool Town scraped a deserved 2-1 away win against Durham City Reserves.

The game was fast and evenly matched in the first half with few chances created for both teams. A silly foul spoilt the first half when Stephen Wilson stamped on a Hartlepool player and was sent off in the 41st minute. Although down to ten men Durham went into the lead after 65 minutes. A nice through ball from Neil Middlemiss found Barry Cook on his own to slip the ball past he keeper. Straight from the restart Hartlepool drew level, Jeff Cooper tapping the ball in from six yards after a scrappy mix-up in front of goal. In the 89th minute, Chris Birkbeck put a pinpoint cross over for Jeff Cooper to head into an empty net.

Newcomers to the league, Gateshead A pipped Birtley Town Reserves by 2-1 in an evenly matched game. Simon Treading put Gateshead in front after 15 minutes. Michael Bradley had Birtley level in 40 minutes before Jamie Cummings sealed it for Gateshead scoring the winner in 55 minutes.

Ebchster FC went down 4-0 at home to Belford House. They played well in the first half holding their own in an evenly matched half at 0-0. In the second period Belford came out the stronger team with goals from Michael Conner, Mark Green and a couple from Gary Taylor.

Brandon Prince Bishop beat Seaham Mallard 2-0 at home. The score was level 0-0 at half time, Neither team looked like scoring, both defences were on top giving away no opportunities for the forwards until the 60th minute. Paul Ealis for Brandon put Stephen Chappell through who chipped it to David Fort who then hit the ball on the turn to score with the first chance of the match. Ten minutes later Paul Ealis played a nice one-two with Stephen Chappel to finish off with an 18 yard shot past he keeper.

Whitehill FC, last season's runners up in the league, beat league champions Coxhoe Athletic 1-0 at home. The only goal came in 30 minutes with a magic 35 yard pass from Andrew Smith for Darren Burnham to head home at the far post. Coxhoe pressed hard throughout the game but were unable to break down Whitehill'l stubborn defence.

Seaham Town Community FC lost 2-1 at home to Simonside Social Club and were thwarted by Christopher Hair in goal for Simonside stopping everything. Simonside went ahead after 35 minutes when David Basham's overhead miss kick beat Seaham's keeper. Five minutes later Scott Burn equalised for Seaham but their misfortune still continued when Stephen Williams put the ball in his own net.

Wednesday's results: Belford House FC 1 Durham City AFC Res. 2; Birtley Town Res. 3 Ebchester FC 0; Durham Victoria Bridge 0 Coxhoe Athletic 6; Gateshead A 4 Whitehill FC 3; Hartlepool Town 1 Seaham Town Community FC 1; Seaham Mallard 4 Simonside SC 2; Shildon Railway FC 2 Brandon Prince Bishop 2.