Wearside league

REIGNING champions New Marske moved into second position – their highest rating so far – but they were taken to the wire by second-bottom Windscale.

The only goal came after 42 minutes as Shaun Garbutt rifled the ball into the net from 10 yards. Windscale, with only two wins in 15 attempts, battled for an equaliser but their efforts were in vain.

Basement side Willington had joint managers Paul Mullen and Paul Armstrong in charge for the first time.

They fielded seven new players and an excellent performance just failed to earn a point against high-riding Annfield Plain.

When Paul Henderson struck twice in the opening 20 minutes it looked as if Willington were on their way to another big defeat.

Their hopes were raised by Andy Sullivan’s clinical strike on 34 minutes and luck was with them when Henderson failed to convert a penalty for his hat-trick.

His effort was well saved by goalkeeper Chris Sawyer.

The Hall Lane side continued to give a good account of themselves and were unlucky not to claim an equaliser.

Jarrow easily accounted for Hartlepool as Chris Lunn and Craig Armstrong both bagged a brace of goals and Kirkbymoorside finished winners at East Durham United with strikes from Sarjo Cham and Alex Strickland.

Ashbrooke Belford House just edged Silksworth Community with an 86th-minute goal from Peter Benson, who volleyed home from the edge of the penalty area.

The three Sunderland Shipowners’ Cup ties were all decided by the odd goal.

Easington Colliery reversed last week’s result with Wolviston who were near to taking the tie into extra time.

Peter Crawford and Paul Moss were early scorers for the Colliers but when David Plummer reduced the deficit on 84 minutes, a tense finale ensued but the Colliers held on.

Leaders Newton Aycliffe had a close call at home to Guisborough Town HC.

The outcome was decided by Danny Mellenby who scrambled the ball into the net with 20 minutes remaining.

Daniel Drazdavskas and Adam Loughran had Teesside Athletic two goals up inside half an hour but when Paul Broome struck early in the second period, Coxhoe Athletic sensed they were in with a chance.

Despite pressing during the second period, however, Coxhoe failed to restore parity.