Stokesley SC, who were without a league game, retained the leadership when Birtley Town and Boldon CA both passed up the opportunity to go top.

Birtley, who have been in outstanding form, could only draw with Stanley United who grabbed a late equaliser through leading scorer Aaron Scott. When he found himself in the clear he easily beat Birtley goalkeeper Stephen Harrison.

It was not until on the hour that Birtley broke the deadlock with a well-executed goal scored by Paul Terrell who left Stanley keeper Chris Sawyer with no chance.

Boldon CA are fifth but would have been in pole position had they defeated Whitehaven. It was the Cumbrians who clinched the points with a convincing 4-0 victory, scoring twice in each half. Graham Ridley, Craig Robson, Daniel Bird (pen) and Carl McGrady all struck.

New Marske moved up into third place and with a game in hand are just two points adrift of leaders Stokesley SC. Gary Young was the only marksman in the first period but after the break, Craig Mendum, David Brown and Adam Taylor earned New Marske a convincing 4-0 win.

It looked as if a goal after 60 minutes by Mark Johnson would be sufficient for improving Cleadon SC but Annfield Plain clawed their way back into the game with an 80th-minute equaliser from Matthew Gent.

Wolviston appeared to be coasting to victory when they led Harton and Westoe by two goals from Andy Steel and Paul Griffiths at the halfway stage but eventually, they had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

Steel added a second goal and after Michael Meek converted a penalty and Tommy Nixon reduced the deficit, the home side's rally was completed with an equaliser from David Hopper.

Darlington RA moved into the top six with a 3-1 success at Jarrow who have taken just one point from 15 games. Andy Smith raised the hopes of the South Tynesiders but when Paul Freary, Mark Radmore and Mark Brown struck inside 18 minutes, Jarrow were left with a big hurdle to climb.

Even so, they had a chance ten minutes from time to reduce the arrears but Andrew Riley failed to convert a penalty and even though RA played out the final minutes with just ten men, they easily held on.

Two ties were played in the League Cup. Paul Ross and Dominic Riley put North Shields two goals to the good at Ferryhill Athletic who were in with a chance when Stuart Cottam struck.

The home side pressed in search of an equaliser and left the way open for David Little to settle the outcome in the visitors' favour.

Windscale were another side to win on their travels. Barnard Castle Glaxo gave an improved display and scored three times through Ross Murray, Darren Harrison and Richie Hinton.

Their defence, however, leaked five goals to Kevin Law (pen), Peter O'Donnell, Dean Rogers, Gary Hodgson and Howard Kirkbride.