Stokesley SC moved to the top of the table when they hit Stanley United with a heavy defeat in the mid-week programme. Wolviston, Birtley Town and New Marske also won to enhance their chances of carrying off the title.

The new leaders scored four times in each half defeating Stanley United 8-1. The goals flowed from Jonathan Newton (3), Craig Johnson (2), Richard Hore, Nathan Haslam and Matthew Homan while for Stanley, John Holmes scored a consolation goal.

Stokesley now lead the table by two points from Boldon CA who were defeated following an exciting game at Birtley Town.

After losing four of their previous seven games, Birtley have regained their form and made it three successive victories with a 4-3 win over Boldon, who equalised on three occasions before Birtley clinched the points with a last minute piledriver from Carl Pennington.

Ross Preston, Paul Bryson (penalty) and Anthony Lynch had given their side the lead three times and afterwards manager Dave Smith was extremely happy with the result which puts his side into fifth place, seven points adrift of Stokesley with three games in hand.

"It is certainly all to play for and a lot will depend on the mid-week fixtures when it is sometimes difficult to field strong sides. We are on-song again and not only do we have a good chance of winning the championship, but we are also through to the semi-finals of the League Cup." said Smith.

Wolviston are now fourth after inflicting a 3-2 defeat on North Shields at Metcalf Park. Afterwards, manager Graham Howard enthused about the performance.

"The boys were magnificent and showed great character under extreme pressure, especially in the second half."

After taking a two goals lead with strikes by Andy Steele and Paul Edwards, Wolviston were pegged back when Neil McCulloch and Anthony Robson hit the target for the Robins.

Just when it appeared that the game would end in a draw, Guy Whatmore, a 75th minute substitute, hit the winner for Wolviston with just four minutes remaining.

Darlington RA's 16 match unbeaten record came to an end at New Marske where they lost 2-1. Ben Walker put the Seasiders' ahead in the 25th minute before Mark Radmore levelled midway during the second period. With only ten minutes remaining Adam Taylor hit the winner to keep New Marske in with an outside chance of the title.

Redcar Town, who were unable to fulfill their fixture last Saturday, hosted Cleadon SC who won 2-1 with strikes from John Green and Andrew Quinn while Barnard Castle Glaxo improved their position near the bottom of the table with an excellent 4-1 victory at Annfield Plain.

Phil McGuire and Stuart Murray gave Glaxo a two-goal interval lead and after the break Stuart Meney and Richard Hinton took the tally to four. Plain's only response was by Tony Quinn.

Cup competitions

Monkwearmouth Charity Cup Final: Darlington RA v Ferryhill Athletic or North Shields.

Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Final: Darlington RA v Wolviston.

Wearside League Cup semi-finals: Birtley Town v Windscale, North Shields v Darlington RA.