Brandon Station, winners of the Durham County Trophy 3-1 against Sporting Club Sunderland on Monday, March 17 at Durham City's Archibald Stadium, went down 2-1 to lowly placed Birtley Town Reserves.

Brandon were in front after 50 minutes, Paul Webster tapping in. Colin Beadling put Birtley level chipping the ball over the keeper in the 60th minute. Ten minutes later Neil Wilson sealed it for Birtley with a penalty.

Ebchester FC, at the foot of the table, earned their first League win since August 28, beating Durham Victoria Bridge 3-2. Craig Stewart put them ahead after with a tap in and Neil Swainston made it 2-0 but before the break James Nesser pulled a goal back. Kane Hobson had them level but Neil Swainston got his second, screwing the ball past the keeper from an acute angle.

Whitehill FC widened the gap to five points at the top of the table with a 3-1 home win over second placed Coxhoe Athletic. Michael Pitt put them in front, heading in a cross to the bottom corner and Kevin Coats put them further ahead after with a 16-yard drive. Coxhoe pulled a goal back through Gary Turton in and from then all the pressure was from Coxhoe. It was the same in the second half - Whitehill withstanding all the pressure but they secured the points when Ross Robson produced a 3-1 win.

Shildon Railway were too good for Sporting Club Sunderland. Shildon led in the first minute when Steffan McGowan slipped the ball past the keeper and it was 2-0 Doug Grant made no mistake from the spot. Sporting reduced the arrears when Neil Middlemis scored but McGowan put Shildon 3-1 up. Sporting's Barry Cook beat the keeper from 35 yards for 3-2 before further goals from Neil Robinson and Darren Askew gave Shildon the win.

Seaham Mallard came away from Belford House with a 1-1 draw after a Barry Cougle equaliser of Mark Green's opener.

Seaham The Duke lost 2-1 at home to Spennymoor Black & Decker. They led when Michael Watson scored but Peter Robson levelled with a penalty before Michael Hodgson got the winner.

P W D L F A Pts

Whitehill FC 22 15 3 4 75 33 48

Black & Decker 20 13 4 3 63 29 43

Coxhoe Athletic 18 14 1 3 52 23 43

Hartlepool Town 22 13 3 6 73 32 42

Belford House FC 21 12 4 5 54 38 40

Shildon Railway FC 19 12 1 6 55 42 37

Sporting Club S'land 19 9 4 6 58 36 31

Cockfield FC 17 9 4 4 45 24 31

Seaham The Duke 21 9 1 11 47 44 28

Brandon Station 12 7 2 3 42 11 23

Seaham Mallard 20 5 3 12 47 69 18

Birtley Town Res. 23 4 3 16 40 84 15

Simonside SC 21 4 0 17 39 86 12

Durham Victoria Br. 23 3 2 18 30 79 11

*Ebchester FC 22 3 1 18 30 120 7