North Shields worked tirelessly on Saturday morning to make their Ralph Gardner Park pitch playable for the top-versus-bottom match against Jarrow.

Their efforts were rewarded with a handsome victory which enabled them to open up a clear lead for the first time this season.

Jarrow though, shocked their opponents by taking the lead after eight minutes. David Hutchinson beating Simon Bradford with a penalty.

The Robins could well have equalised through Eddie Miller before Paul Blakey slid the ball home following good work by David Little and Dominic Graham.

Andrew Smith was near at the other end when it took a tremendous save from Bradford to keep the scores level before North Shields grasped the initiative in the 33rd minute.

A low corner from Andy Elliott found Little and although Liam Richardson parried the shot, Eddie Miller was brought down in the melee and Little fired home the penalty.

Three minutes later, Jarrow's task became almost impossible as they conceded a third. Elliott set up the opportunity and Miller out-jumped Richardson.

Then Blakey sent an unstoppable shot past Richardson to end the scoring.

Windscale were the only other side to stage a fixture and they defeated Annfield Plain by a single goal to move into fifth place. The ground was in good condition and the teams produced an entertaining game which was settled midway through the second period with Kevin Law scoring.