Wearside League: Coxhoe Athletic left it late before clinching the points at Ryhope CW on Saturday.

After trailing by two goals inside half an hour they hit back to lead 3-2 only for the Wearsiders to level. A draw looked on the cards but in stoppage time the championship challengers claimed the winner.

Ryhope could hardly have made a better start, going ahead through Andrew Holmes before Peter Moughan also penetrated the visitors' defence.

The home side went in at the interval with the cushion of a two-goal lead but within 15 minutes of the restart, Coxhoe were ahead.

Wayne Gredziak reduced the deficit and substitute Michael Carruthers bagged a brace of goals. Ryhope retaliated and Shaun Petch converted a 75th-minute penalty but in injury time Gredziak struck the winning goal for Coxhoe who are seven points behind Darlington RA with a game in hand.

RA were without a fixture and Stokesley SC also made up ground although they are 11 points off the top having played two fewer games.

They conceded a 27th-minute lead to Ferryhill Athletic but then went 4-1 ahead as Jonathan Newton (2), Matthew Holmes and Stuart Wise all struck. The game was into the last minute when Lee Jewitt scored Ferryhill's second goal.

Ferryhill remain bottom and Washington Nissan are second from the basement after losing to fourth-placed Jarrow at Perth Green. Dean Patton and Gary Atwell scored either side of half time.

Gateshead Reserves remain third from bottom after also losing by a two-goal margin at New Marske for whom Mike Turner struck on three minutes and Danny Parks in the 84th minute.

A goal by Paul Bryson from the penalty spot was sufficient for Birtley Town against Shotton Comrades while David Hopper (2) and Chris Scott eased Boldon CA to victory over Wolviston.

Dave Whelan, Paul Dixon with a 30-yard volley and Danny Efford were all on the mark in a 3-1 victory for Cleadon SC over Whitehaven for whom Craig Burns replied.

Despite hitting the woodwork twice, Annfield Plain suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Windscale with Mark Young and Peter O'Donnell first-half marksmen.

Gary Stephens and Paul Hopkinson were on the mark for Harton and Westoe in a 2-1 home win against Cleator Moor Celtic.