In the basement battle, Stanley Masons Arms pulled three points clear of the bottom spot after recording an odd goal in five home win over fellow strugglers Felling Mulberry.

Ian McAllister (2) and Paul Curry were the match winners as the Masons recorded their first win of the season.

In the Richardson Cup, Stanley RAFA saw off South Moor Sports with a similar 3-2 to go top of their group. The RAFA scored through Carl Lewis, David Maughan and Stephen Burdiss with South Moor's goals netted by Anthony Sterling and Keith Gardener.

Pelton Crown were up against the Jolly Miller and after running up a 2-0 lead saw the Miller pull back a goal by half time.

However, a further two goals in the second half ensured the win for the Crown whose goals came from John Sexton, Gary Barker and two from Stephen Cameron, including an overhead kick.

In the North West Durham Charity cup, Chester Garden Farm lost 2-0 at Lanchester.

Consett Sunday League

It is celebration time for Dipton Bird Inn after winning their first ever trophy. Their success came in the Division Three trophy - the Iveson Bowl - and it was a closely contested affair at Belle Vue Park with Craig Jolly pouncing for the all important winner on the hour.

It was fifth time lucky in the North West Durham Charity Cup when Lanchester Social finally got their home tie played against Stanley Sunday League leaders Chester Garden Farm and two Lee McVittie goals saw the Division Two outfit to victory.

There was another 2-0 win for Stateside who recorded their impressive win at Gateshead League side Barley Mow with strikes from Andrew Elliott and Darren Bell. An own goal from Mark Short was not enough to prevent the Highwayman from a Stanley Aged Miners Cup exit at the hands of Leadgate Golden Lion. The Lion went on to win 4-1 with efforts from Chris Soulsby, Mark Taylor, Chris McNally and Shaun Shepherd.

One Third Division match managed to escape the weather and it produced a 5-2 away win for strugglers Delves United at Swalwell Poacher.