David Little celebrated his 200th appearance for North Shields by lifting the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup at Brinkburn Road on Easter Monday.

It was an appropriate reward for his commitment to the Robins, but he is only one of six players who have each played more than 150 games.

"David's loyalty has been tremendous and it was fitting that he should celebrate on the day when he played his 200th game," declared secretary David Thompson.

The Shieldsmen beat Darlington RA in an action-packed tie but Thompson admitted: "We are bitterly disappointed that we are not going to finish in one of the two top places in the Wearside League which would have guaranteed us entry into the Albany Northern League.

"This is our ambition but we will have to put it on ice for at least another year. It was some consolation to win the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup which we last took back to Ralph Gardner Park a couple of years ago when Little scored a last-minute extra-time penalty in the final against Nissan."

Apart from Little, five other players have passed the 150 milestone. Leading the way is player manager Wilf Keilty with 247 appearances followed by Martin Lamb (184), Neil McCulloch (159), Paul Ross (157) and Anthony Robson (156).

"We are delighted at the contribution which the six players have given to the club, especially this season when we struggled early on following the resignation of manager Terry Paddison and his replacement Eddie Freeman.

"Wilf Keilty took over and the other five lads rallied around him. Overall, we have a young squad with five players under 19 so the outlook appears rosy," enthused Thompson.

North Shields are still involved in the Wearside League Cup and tomorrow will again meet Darlington RA, this time at Ralph Gardner Park, in the semi final.

Birtley Town and Wolviston maintained their challenge for the championship with midweek victories.

Goals by Michael Pitt (3), Paul Bryson (2), Anthony Cosgrove and Michael Bradley earned Birtley Town a 7-0 victory at Redcar Town which did their goal difference a power of good.

Wolviston who won the match of the night when they defeated previous leaders Stokesley SC by a single goal to move into pole position. John Symon struck the crucial goal with 12 minutes remaining.

Wolviston now have a two-point lead over Stokesley SC having played the same number of games while Birtley Town are six adrift of Wolviston with three games in hand.

In other matches on Wednesday, New Marske defeated Harton and Westoe 3-0 with strikes by Craig Mendum and James McGowan (2), Ryhope CW enjoyed a 3-1 success at home to Whitehaven when Stephen Rochester (2) and Liam Routledge netted.

Craig Robson hit a late goal for the Cumbrians.

Darlington RA recovered from a three-goals deficit to draw 3-3 with Jarrow. Dean Patton, with a brace and Andrew Bonner appeared to have put the South Tynesiders into a winning position but battling RA fought back with three goals in the last 20 minutes from Stephen Johnson, Mark Keenan and Stephen Walker.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Birtley Town v Wolviston, Jarrow v Ferryhill Athletic, Stokesley SC v Harton and Westoe, Whitehaven v Stanley United, New Marske v Annfield Plain, Redcar Town v Windscale.