It has been a good few days for North Shields following defeats for their closest rivals in the race for the championship.

Both Birtley Town and Stokesley SC lost but the Robins go marching on and are now favourites to clinch the title.

Their latest success came against in-form Ryhope CW who quickly cancelled out an early goal from Stephen Hamil when Shaun Godfrey converted a penalty.

Martin Graham restored Shields' advantage before the break and when Hamil, the former Stanley United striker, struck his second goal six minutes after the interval, the visitors recorded their 20th success in 26 attempts.

Birtley Town still lead the table but by just one point from North Shields who have four games in hand.

Following their morale-boosting victory over Stokesley SC last week, Birtley came down to earth with a bump when they went down 2-1 to Cleadon SC.

Peter Brand gave the visitors an early second-half advantage but after Mark Dale's equaliser it was all to play for and it was Cleadon who came out on top with a late strike from Owen Peterson.

Stokesley SC thumped Whitehaven 6-1 but remain 12 points behind North Shields having played two games fewer. Niall Southall bagged a brace and missed out on a hat-trick when he failed from the penalty spot.

Jonathan Newton was also twice on target with Craig Johnson and Matthew Homan completing the rout. Alex Roberts hit a consolation for Whitehaven.

A flurry of goals in the last ten minutes earned Harton and Westoe the points at the expense of Wolviston who were on course for a point until Anthony Kent (2) and Tommy Nixon found the net in a seven-minute spell.

Jarrow went down to an only goal scored by Windscale's Liam Bell whose 30-yard pile-driver swung late and dipped under the crossbar and just one goal also separated winners New Marske from Ferryhill Athletic.

After Ferryhill had missed a penalty on the half hour, James Kesterton was on target assisting New Marske to their second successive victory.

Bottom-of-the-table Washington Nissan UK conceded seven goals in their home game to Boldon CA and managed just one in reply from Ian Dodds. Lee Seff recorded a hat-trick with Paul Oley, Scott Baxter, Michael Meek and Graham Cairns also on target.

* Today, North Shields meet Stokesley SC in the final of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup at Ralph Gardner Park (noon). There are two league games between Cleadon SC and Windscale and New Marske versus Barnard Castle, both of which kick off at 2.30pm.