Hartlepool Town drew 1-1 at home to Cockfield in a cracking game with both teams playing at the top of their form.

Hartlepool went ahead in the 17 minutes when Stuart Cooper broke away down the left to put a lovely cross into the box for Dave Smith to head home. A minute later the score was level when Steven Rodgers headed home after receiving a cross from the right.

Belford House had a comfortable 5-1 win away to Durham Victoria Bridge. Gary Taylor hit three goals with Ian McDowell getting the other two. Darren Burnham got Durham's consolation goal.

Springwell Village earned their second win of the season with a 3-1 victory against Seaham The Duke. Dave Murray scored two goals with Mark Kirtley getting the other for Springwell. Andrew Beer replied for The Duke.

Whitehill FC go top of the league after thrashing Ebchester FC 9-1 away from home. Michael Pitt, the leagues top scorer with 88 goals hit four in only his second game back in the league after playing in the Northern League for West Auckland. Mark Elliot, Gary Johnson, James O'Brien, Gary Taylor and Robert Burnip scored the others with Peter Wilson getting Ebchester's only goal.

Sporting Club Sunderland had a 3-3 draw away to Birtley Town Reserves. Barry Cook got two goals and Johnathan Christie the other for Sporting Club. John Somerville with two goals and Lee Cuthbertson the other replied for Birtley.

Coxhoe Athletic go through to the next round of the Auckland Charity Cup after they beat Spennymoor Black and Decker 2-0. Both the goals scored in the first half by Dave Milburn.

Shildon Railway also go through to the next round after an easy 6-1 win against Bishop Auckland Rugby Club. Andrew Heavyside, Kevin Hamilton (2), Neil Robinson (2) and Steven Hall scored. Mark Forster got Bishops only goal - scoring with a penalty in the last minute.

P W D L F A Pts

Whitehill FC 14 9 1 4 44 20 28

Belford House 14 9 1 4 43 29 28

SC Sunderland 14 8 3 3 50 21 27

Coxhoe Ath. 11 9 0 2 43 16 27

Cockfield 12 8 3 1 37 10 27

Brandon Station 11 8 2 1 35 8 26

Shildon Railway 13 8 1 4 38 27 25

Hartlepool Town 14 7 1 6 29 20 22

Black & Decker 11 6 3 2 35 15 21

Seaham Mallard 15 6 3 6 47 48 21

Seaham The Duke 13 6 1 6 28 28 19

Durham Vic Bridge 14 3 1 10 21 49 10

Simonside SC 13 3 0 10 36 59 9

Birtley Town Res. 12 1 3 8 17 34 6

*Ebchester 13 2 2 9 20 64 5

Garden Farm Real 14 1 2 11 25 76 5

*Springwell Village 12 2 1 9 26 50 4