In the Premier Darlington Croft turned in a fighting performance to win 4-1 at home against third placed Killingworth Arms.

Croft took the lead after two minutes through Richard Hookway but Killingworth always chased the equaliser. Croft went 2-0 up before the interval when Mark Smith netted from 25 yards. The restart saw Killingworth attack and they pulled one back courtesy of Dean Walker. Darlington's defence held firm and ten minutes from time Hookway scored his second to make it 3-1 and minutes later he completed his hat-trick to settle the issue for Croft.

In a close contested battle Owton Manor drew 1-1 with Norton-Stockton. Linneghan gave Manor a 1-0 interval lead but the visitors levelled after the restart.

Ferryhill have a run of bad luck and lost 1-2 from a 1-0 interval lead from a Stan Cumming's goal. They could not increase that lead through a series of near misses. Keith Robertson scored and Alan Hurst gave Steels a 2-1 lead when he put away a cross from Davey. Later Ferryhill were unfortunate though they played well but failed to get the goals although a draw would have been a fair result.

In Divison One Glaxo won 4-4 at home toGrindon Broadway and took thethe lead after 40 seconds when Ronnie Thornton's header found the net. Kevin Thompson levelled shortly before the interval and after the restart Alan Gates resorted Glaxo's lead but Ronnie Maughan quickly equalised. Brown put Glaxo 3-2 up when he slotted home a spot kick. Gatesking fouled in the area and then scored to make it 4-2. Grindon rallied and Les Burlinson scored to make it 3-4 to the visitors. Castle's defence held firm and Grindon could not find the equaliser.

Consett stay top defeating Newton Aycliffe 4-3 at home. Aycliffe led 3-0 at the half-time but the second half saw Consett come back strongly and tear Aycliffe apart scoring four goals without reply to end up 4-3 winners. Scorers were Paul Quinn (2), Page and Lee.

In Division Three bottom of the league Darlington Railway turned in a super performance to draw 3-3 at home to leaders Red House. Norman Gilbey gave Red House an early lead but Dale Elgie scored twice for Darlington making it 2-1 at the interval. The restart saw Red House come back strongly and Ferguson levelled but then Harry Butler shot them into a 3-2 lead and at this point it was Darlington keeper Andrew Scullion who pulled a series of great saves to deny Red House going further ahead. In the dying minutes they forced a corner, Thompson took it and then the hero of the game, 63-year-old Geoff Lynch out-jumped all to head home the equaliser and give Darlington a well deserved share of the points.

Langley Park Rams Head previous lost 1-2 at home to Barnes who had started with nine men, but after half-time had ten players and this week they had won 5-4 away to second placed Spring Gardens. Trailing 0-1 at the interval, they had come good after the restart to lead 4-1, then 5-2 before ending 5-4 winners.

Wynyard Vets have moved into second spot but have two games in hand of the two teams above them. They won 2-0 at home against Hylton Castle. The Vets led 2-0 at the break couresy of a brace from Peter Joyce and were always in control. It was only the brilliance of Hylton's keeper John Davies that prevented them increasing their lead. Boldison starred for Vets.

Billingham Town are experiencing a lean spell, they lost 1-2 at home to Whitley Bay and are now second bottom. Bay opened the scoring but Tony Screene levelled and there the game stayed until the dying minutes when a defensive misunderstanding allowed Bay to grab a late winning goal.

West Cornforth's unbeaten run ended when they lost 3-4 at home to Hedworthfield in Division Three. They trailed 0-3 but just on half-time Jimmy Hudson pulled one back. After the restart they fought splendid to draw level from goals by Jedd Darby and David Kendall, but the visitors stole the points when they scored with a 35 yards rocket seven minutes from time.

Crook Town won 4-3 away to the Dagmar to move into fourth from bottom.

In Division Four Wynyard OB just could not cope with second placed Pennywell Comrades who went nap winning 5-0 at home.

Thornley Celtic move into third spot when they won 2-1 away to Trimdon Vets in a close game. Leading 1-0 at half-time Trimdon levelled through Dickinson and a draw looked on the cards until Thornley second a late winner.