Esh Winning took another step towards the championship when they defeated Brandon and were marginally assisted by Tudhoe, winners over Willington.

Dean Storey, Jim Allenby and Darren Punshon all passed 40 but, when Rizwan Quereshi and Shafiq Ahmed shared seven wickets at minimal cost, Brandon's innings was restricted to 166.

There were two early successes for Brandon, whose hopes of causing an upset rose with the departure of Quereshi and Paul Rayner but David Lawlor stood firm for 71 and Michael Robson contributed an unbeaten 65 to secure the crucial win.

Tudhoe leap-frogged Willington into second place when they won a low scoring game.

Tudhoe might have been up at the top if they had Teneto Willett for a full season.

He took another four wickets but the star of the innings was Chris Glasper who captured five for five.

Willington's total of 96 hardly appeared defendable but Robert Chismon claimed three for 16 and Tudhoe lost seven batsmen before victory was achieved.

They were indebted to opener Simon Davies who remained unbeaten on 55.

Langley Park improved their chances of avoiding the wooden spoon with a five-wicket victory at Crook Town.

Jones and Stephen Gray both picked up three wickets as Crook stumbled to only 110 for eight before Gray (54 not out) and John Lee (34) steered Langley Park home.

Shildon, who went down by 118 runs to Ushaw Moor, are at the basement. Travis Dowlin (5-14) did the damage as they were all out for just 98.

Runs were a more plentiful when the visitors batted first. Michael Thorpe was unbeaten with an excellent century and Peter Maddison added 48 to the impressive total of 215 for five.

Hiram Marambe was Shildon's star with four wickets and undefeated 62.

John Maughan took the honours in Evenwood's defeat of Etherley.

He top scored with 79 and Nicholson contributed a half century to a total of 269 for five - the highest of the day. Maughan then conceded 32 runs in taking five wickets and Etherley were all out for a straight 100.

Stephen Meek was unbeaten on 98 but Kimblesworth still lost to Mainsforth despite totalling more than 200.

Ian Thompson led Mainsforth's reply but it was still a close call and nine wickets were down before the winning run was hit. Thompson, who went in at number nine, was unbeaten with 73.