Things are starting to get very tight at the top end of the league table. Shildon Elm Road WMC leap-frogged Darlington The Mowden at the top after defeating them 5-1.

The hosts gave what was described as a very lacklustre display although the Shildon side closed them down before they could get going.

A 35-yard effort by Carl Dawson caught Mowden's keeper out early on to open the scoring, a good run by Ritchie Dodsworth found Steve Thompson in space for the equaliser only for Daryl Meadows to restore the lead before the break, goals by Dawson, Thomas Louden and James Jones rounded off the scoring.

A reflex save by Wayne Reynoldson in the last minute denied Darlington RA Youth a deserved draw on their visit to Aycliffe Saints.

Saints held on to win 4-3 after being penned in their own half for the last 20 minutes, Michael Cave, Gary Hancock and Ben Hall 2 (one pen.) for Saints with Dean Lawson, Darren Kokes and Ross Wetherell replying for Youth.

Young Daniel Dinning made his full debut for Stillington The Royal making a couple of telling saves to keep out Chilton Wheatsheaf Wanderers. The Royal finally ran out 6-2 victors, their first two were rare goals for Martin Corney and Shaun Featherstone and both being crosses cum-centres which deceived keeper, Lee O'Connell. Simon Hares, Wayne Muldowney and sub Lee Norman rounded off their scoring whilst an own goal and one for Carl Allen went to Wheatsheaf.

Hurworth Otter & Fish finally got a full game under their belts when they once again met Darlington GSOB and came away with a 9-2 victory.

Wayne King again topped the scoring with four, one apiece went to Jonathan Edwards, Chris Liddle, Jonathan Bell and the two subs Calvin Russell and James Richardson, veteran Mally Leafe is still showing the young pretenders how to score, notching both Old Boys goals.

After a hard and evenly fought game on a terrible pitch Darlington Travellers Rest came out 2-0 winners against Darlington AFC Greyhound, the first was after a scrappy affair in Greyhound's goalmouth with Dave Lewis sliding the ball over the line, the second came with ten minutes remaining through Jim Salmon.