Spennymoor Black & Decker kept their championship hopes alive when they won 3-2 at Durham Victoria Bridge.

They were 2-0 in front at the break, Michael Hodgson and Ralph Petigean both heading in from close range. Black & Decker increased the lead when Stephen Baker ran through Vic's defence before slotting the ball past the keeper. Darren Stone hauled a goal back, tapping the ball in after the keeper fumbled and dropped the ball at his feet. A fine header at the back post by Dean Card in 85 minutes had Durham Vic back in the game, but time ran out and no further goals allowed Black & Decker the three points.

Ebchester FC moved up from the bottom of the league when they turned in a fine performance with a 5-0 win against Seaham The Duke. Mark Turner and Craig Stewart had them 2-0 up in the first half with Dean Laddie, Mark Turner and Neil Swainston adding to the tally in the second half.

Whitehill FC were outplayed at SC Sunderland. A left foot drive from 30 yards by John Cairns had Sporting ahead in 20 minutes, Gary Jackson made it 2-0 and Stephen Wilson made it 3-0.

Coxhoe Athletic kept their championship prospects in good stead with a 2-1 home win against Brandon Station. They were in front after when Scott Richards' shot went in off the underside of the crossbar. Coxhoe were in trouble after when they lost their keeper Andrew Allen through an injury and this spurred on Brandon, who then equalised, Andrew Morris scoring a 20-yard shot. In the 85th minute Coxhoe got a corner, allowing Andrew Richardson to score from with a brave header.

Belford House and Cockfield FC shared the points in an evenly contested game. Belford were in front on ten minutes through Stewart Burn, but Anthony White's brace on 20 and 45 minutes put Cockfield in front at the break. Belford went level with a goal from Ian Loughlan. Dave Smith, Phil Nicholson and Dave Cartwright were on the scoresheet for Hartlepool Town in their 3-1 win against Seaham Mallard, whose goal came from David Swainston. A hat-trick by Doug Grant helped Shildon Railway in their 4-1 win at home to Simonside SC.