Sunderland RCA boss Neil Hixon said that his players completely ran out of steam as they collapsed 5-4 to Gateshead in the Durham Challenge Cup quarter final last night.

The RCA led 4-2 with nine minutes to go, but the Conference reserve side clambered through to the next round as the RCA flagged.

“We should have been out of sight, but we folded like a pack of cards. The players ran out of legs for the last 15 minutes. Gateshead scored some good goals, but from our point of view, they should have been closed down. They got their tails up when they scored their third.”

Sunderland RCA striker Richie Logan scored a hat trick, his third goal coming on the hour to put the RCA 4-2 up.

Newton Aycliffe are now eight points clear at the top of the second division after a 6-1 away win at Birtley, as Guisborough lost 4-1 at home to Hebburn.

“We started flat and went an early goal down, but then we got going,” said manager Alan Oliver. “We scored some good goals, and it was great to see six different players getting on the scoresheet. That sort of ability will come in handy as the season goes on.” Aycliffe and Guisborough are both without a game this weekend.

Marske United recorded the biggest away win of the season in the league so far, an 8-2 away win at Crook Town, with Danny Brunskill scoring four and Benn Thompson a hat trick.

“There were several outstanding performances, not just from Danny and Benn,” said Marske manager Paul Burton. “Our plan was to hit diagonal balls over their defence to make them turn, and it worked a treat. We scored some outstanding goals, and could have had more. When they pulled back to 4-2 I was a little worried, but the fifth goal just before half time killed them off.

Darlington RA had a good 3-0 home win over Seaham Red Star, and manager Nick Harrison said: “At last a really good performance and result together. We started slowly but our opening goal gave us a boost and we just got better and better as the game went on. I think some lads still remembered the 5-2 thrashing Seaham gave us earlier in the season, so we had a point to prove and I think we proved it. We simply just need to be more consistent week by week, as you can't let your standards drop in this league.”