Seaham The Duke went out of the League Challenge Cup losing 4-3 at home to Sporting Club Sunderland.

They were in the lead in 10 minutes, Anthony Hand beating the keeper with a low drive. Lee Butler levelled the score for Sporting Club. The Duke went ahead in the second half when Scott Burns hit a 25 yard volley. A penalty from John Mitchell sending the keeper the wrong way made it 3-1. Then they fell apart with three errors in defence. Neil Milton pulled one back for the Club, then a goalkeeper error let John Cairns level and a shot from Gareth Green deflected into the net for Sporting Club to clinch the tie.

Cockfield kept their unbeaten run in the league with an easy win against Birtley Town Reserves. Anthony White had them 1-0 up in the 20th minute. Dave Wilkinson made 2-0 in 60 minutes with another from John Myers in 70 minutes. Dave Fletcher added to the tally in the 80th minute.

Brandon Station kept their second spot in the league with a close 2-1 win against Springwell Village. Phil Wilkinson scored two in the first half. David Kirtley replying for Springwell in the second half.

Ebchester FC were beaten 6-1 at home to Spennymoor Black & Decker. They were 2-0 down in the first half with goals from Peter Robson and Peter Croft. Further goals came from Alan Robson (2), Paul Arnott and Stephen Baker. Philip Dodds replied for Ebchester with a penalty kick in the 89th minute.

Simonside SC scrambled to a 4-3 win against Durham Victoria Bridge. They were ahead in two minutes, Grant Callender the scorer. Mark Pattison hit a gem of a goal from 25 yards, and then Callender got his second. David Burnham got Durham back into the game with a brace in 68 and 73 minutes. Michael Ord made it 4-2 to Simonside before Stephen Stachan replied for Durham Vic.

Shildon Railway won the three points in a close encounter with Belford House. It could have been different if Doug Grant and Stephen Hall had taken their chances for Shildon who then were lucky to see Daren Forster clearing off the line when Belford thought they had scored. Stephen Hall opened the scoring. Doug Grant made it 2-0 in 75 minutes receiving the ball from from Andrew Heavyside to give the keeper no chance. Belford pulled a goal back in 84 minutes only to see their efforts deflated when Kevin Hamilton made it 3-1 from the spot.

Coxhoe Athletic keep their position at the top of the league after beating Hartlepool Town 2-1. A penalty by Gary O'Hara had them in the lead in 75 minutes, From the restart Pool earned themselves a penalty, Stan Houseman levelling the score. Coxhoe won the points when Dave Williams headed on to Dave Milburn who gave the keeper no chance.