Stanley United have scored eight goals winning their first two matches. After defeating Cleadon SC 4-0 at the weekend, they inflicted a 4-3 defeat on champions North Shields at Hill Top on Wednesday night.

John Holmes struck twice in the first half and when Shaun Mansfield made the score 3-0, it looked all over for the visitors who were reduced to 10 men on 65 minutes.

The Robins hit back with strikes from Chris Birbeck, Jonathan Constantine and Kenny Charlton and with only five minutes remaining, Mansfield scored his second goal and Stanley's winner.

Stokesley SC have also made a good start with two wins out of two. They finished 4-2 in front of New Marske with strikes from Craig Johnson (2), Ben Heskett (pen) and Michael Wilson. Gary Owers and Ben Walker were on the mark for New Marske.

After drawing their first game, Darlington RA just edged Barnard Castle Glaxo with an only goal from Neil Jackson after 10 minutes and Ferryhill Athletic, playing their first fixture, bounced back after conceding first-half goals and gained a 2-2 draw with Annfield Plain.

Matthew Gent and Rowland Lee put the visitors in command before Jason Cotterill and Ellis Cook earned Ferryhill a share of the points.

A hat-trick by David Stephenson was the feature of Boldon CA's 3-1 success at Harton and Westoe whose only goal came from Geoff Clark.

Redcar Town snatched a late equaliser in their home game with Wolviston. After tailing 2-1, Wolviston led until David Tait levelled. Brian Crawley (pen) and Mark Donnelly were Redcar's other marksmen with Andrew Steel, John Symon and Ian Perry on target for Wolviston.

Goals by Paul Bryson and Paul Wilson earned Birtley Town a 2-2 draw at Windscale who responded through Gary Hodgson and Peter O'Donnell and Jarrow and Cleadon SC drew 2-2.

A Paul Gallen penalty gave Jarrow a 16-minute lead and Andrew Quinn and Ian Kinlato put Cleadon ahead until Andy Riley equalised with ten minutes remaining.