Wolviston again enhanced their chances of clinching the championship when they defeated third-top Birtley Town by the only goal of the game. Last Wednesday they achieved a similar result against Stokesley SC who then led the table.

The result hinged on the efforts of Andrew Steele and John Symon after 61 minutes. Symon put the ball over the top of the home defence and Steele latched onto it before calmly lobbing Birtley goalkeeper Stephen Harrison.

Stokesley SC quickly bounced back to form and a 4-1 victory over Harton and Westoe keeps them within two points of Wolviston with the sides having played the same number of games.

Jonathan Smith and Richard Orr gave Stokesley a two-goal lead but when Stephen Wilkinson reduced the arrears following good work by Michael Meek, it was all to play for.

Within five minutes though Stokesley were again two goals ahead when Craig Johnson struck and with ten minutes remaining, Jonathan Newton put the result beyond doubt.

Jarrow's remarkable end-of-season form continued but they left it late before defeating Ferryhill Athletic 3-2.

Two goals inside the opening 25 minutes from David Newton and Dean Patton gave Jarrow the edge but Ferryhill kept up the fight and were rewarded when Michael Weston and Stuart Cottam (pen) threw them a lifeline.

Just as it appeared that Ferryhill would gain a point, Newton scored his second goal and the winner for Jarrow with just a couple of minutes remaining. After gaining just two points from their first 19 fixtures, Jarrow have won seven and drawn two of their last nine.

Two sides were on the receiving end of six-goal defeats. New Marske hit Annfield Plain with strikes from James McGowan (2), Gary Young, Stephen Hodgson, Adam Taylor and James Kesterson. Their opponents failed to respond.

Redcar Town also lost 6-0 at home to Windscale. Mark Young bagged a brace of goals and others flowed from Howard Kirkbride (pen), Lee Dixon, Ricky Parnaby and Michael Garstang.

A hat-trick by Craig Robson was the feature of Whitehaven's 3-1 victory at home to Stanley United for whom Alan Lamb converted a penalty after Aaron Scott had been brought down.

Darlington RA quickly gained revenge for Easter Monday's defeat by North Shields in the final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup.

This time, they ended 3-2 winners of the Wearside League Cup semi final but needed extra time before celebrating.

As play ebbed and flowed, it was RA who went ahead just before the break when Stephen Rogers chipped the goalkeeper. Six minutes into the second half, Paul Blakey headed in at the far post and Shields went 2-1 in front on the hour. Rob Howman blocked an effort from Paul Blakey who was quick to react, hooking in the rebound.

Blakey saw a shot rebound off the crossbar before RA took the tie into extra time with an 86th-minute equaliser from Stephen Johnson who was well placed following a quick break.

With excitement mounting, RA celebrated as Neil Jackson crashed in a tremendous shot giving home goalkeeper David Lanning no chance. The margin of victory could have been greater if Phil Sweet and Jackson had made better use of opportunities as the home side pressed forward in vain for an equaliser.