In the Robson-Pattison Cup Billingham CGS won 4-3 away to Steels SC and now play Owton Manor in the semi-final. It was an entertaining match with both sides playing attacking football. Steels took the lead through Peter Stronach only for Keith Corner to quickly level when he slotted home a cross from Bob Hadfield and shortly before the interval Corner scored his second. After the restart Corner completed his hat-trick to put the visitors 3-1 in the lead. Steels came back strongly and Stronach scored again to make it 3-2. Steels now pushed forward for the equaliser but were caught out in a breakaway when Mark Steele scored to put Billingham 4-2 up. Steels brought on Davy Jones and he scored with almost his first touch to make it 4-3 to Steels, but Billingham's defence held firm and time ran out. Colin Steer was outstanding for the visitors.

In the Alan Spedding Cup Langley Park Rams Head gave a much improved performance but were 3-0 losers at home to the unbeaten Blackhall Hardwick. Trailing 2-0 at the break to goals from Ed Freeman and Atherton, the Rams fought back brilliantly after the restart and only several good saves by keeper Ray Bradwell prevented them from scoring. Ed Freeman, who was outstanding for Blackhall scored again late on to settle the issue.

Darlington Croft won 3-1 away to lowly Willow Pond who played much better than their lowly position suggests, being the first to score courtesy of George Smith. The Pond piled on the pressure Darlington held firm and came back into the game when Nigel Weller out jumped all to head home a cross from Mike Nelson. The restart saw both sides attacking but it was only in the last quarter that Darlington came into their own when Stephen Craggs scored with a fine solo effort to give them a 2-1 lead. Midfielder Mark Smith settled the issue when he scored in the closing minutes.

In the Ironside Cup, Consett Duke of Wellington lost 2-1 away to Gateshead Ex-Servicemen. It was a fairly even game with Gateshead just having a slight edge. William Dodds was their hero scoring a brace of goals - one in each half - to see them home. Stars were Hetherington, Parkin and John Murray.

Barnard Castle Glaxo lost 6-0 away to the Touchdown Hotel, Hartlepool. The Castle were not at full strength, but they turned in a poor display and never really came to terms with the Touchdown's attacking game. Trailing 2-0 at half time they faded badly after the restart.

In the Echo Cup, Billingham Town lost 2-1 at home to Hylton Castle. The first half was very even and ended goal-less but after the restart Hylton opened strongly and quickly went 2-0 up courtesy of a brace from Brian Conlon. Billingham did manage to pull one back but Hylton's defence was rock solid and time ran out.

Wynyward Veterans are now in the semi-final and they won 2-1 away to Steels FC.

West Cornforth lost 3-2 at home to Hartlepool RNC. Pool took an early lead after the restart when Colin McNorris scored but Cornforth quickly levelled when a corner from Stephen Cobley was headed into his own net by Parkin. Geoff Stevenson beat the offside trap to score and give the home side a 2-1. Tony Forster levelled for Pools with a well placed shot from the edge of the box in the last minute. Mark Edwards intercepted a clearance out of the box and his pass enabled Chaytor to go clear and beat the keeper and put Pools into the semi-final.

In the Billy Lorraine Cup Crook Town defeated the Dagmar 4-0 at home and now play Oddies at home in the semi-final. Crook always had the edge over the visitors and never looked like losing control. They led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Paul Appleby and Dennis Dolphin. The restart saw no change in the pattern of the game and goals from Stephen Hodgson and Foxy Fowler saw Crook end 4-0 winners.

Trimdon Veterans after a 1-1 game, then extra time, lost 2-4 on penalties against Hedworthfield Deneside. It was an exciting cup tie with second placed Hedworthfield having difficulties coping with mid-table Trimdon. The first half ended goal-less and Peter Harding gave Hedworthfield the lead shortly after the restart and although the game swung from end-to-end, it was only two minutes from time before Trimdon scored the equaliser. Extra time failed to break the dead lock and penalties were necessary. Hedworthfield's keeper Tony Richardson was their hero, he saved two spot kicks to see them through.

In the Premier the Masons Arms turned in a much improved performance to draw 0-0 at home to Usworth, but this new form has come too late to stave off relegation.

In Division One, Newton Aycliffe lost 2-1 at home to Wallsend Rising Sun.

In Division Three, Darlington Railway continue to improve they had a great win against fourth placed promotion seeking Whitley Bay. Railway took the lead after three minutes courtesy of Stephen Hope and made it 2-0, three minutes from time when Chris McMaster shot home a spot-kick given when he was up-ended in the penalty area; keeper Andy Scullion produced first class saves to deny the Bay a second half comeback.

In Division Four, Wynyard Old Boys lost 5-1 at home to Houghton Swifts. The Old Boys trailed at one period 5-0 the result of defensive errors, dribbling instead of kicking clear, misplaced back passes which gave away daft goals. But the goal of the match came when Terry Bead went solo down the wing and put over a perfect cross which Phil Douglas, with a spectacular diving header, rocketed into the net to score a consolidation goal for the Old Boys.