Wearside League: Hartlepool made sure it was not a happy baptism for Boldon CA's new manager Malcolm Reay when they enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 victory on South Tyneside.

Simon Duffield, Anthony Storey and Stephen Manson had them three goals up by the interval and although David Hopper reduced the deficit, Pools comfortably held on.

Norman Hunter, who recently resigned as manager of Boldon CA, was appointed Harton and Westoe's new boss on Saturday night.

He had been a spectator for the South Tyneside derby which Jarrow convincingly won 6-1.

Although David McMenamin gave Harton an early lead, there was no stopping the visitors and the goals flowed from Chris Goss (2), Dean Patton (2), Alex Brown and Brad Thompson.

Birtley Town moved back to the top of the table with an easy victory over Windscale.

A first-half brace of goals from Mark Irwin set them on their way and in the last 10 minutes Trevor Hawthorn and Peter Bryson also struck.

Whitehaven, who were on Cup duty, are down to second and Cleadon SC maintained third position with a narrow victory over Coxhoe Athletic.

The teams produced a cracking end-to-end game which was settled in the 20th minute as David Whelan headed home following a good move involving Andrew Potts and Steve Fyall.

In the last minute Coxhoe were agonisingly close to an equaliser as the ball rolled along the Birtley line before being cleared.

New Marske remain second bottom but gave themselves breathing space over Harton and Westoe with a 2-1 win at Annfield Plain.

Alan Robertson was a first-half scorer for the home team and after Adam Taylor restored parity, Stephen McPartland hit the winner.

Wolviston lost ground in the title race when they suffered a 2-1 reverse at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.

The Teessiders had Stephen Kilpatrick sent off in the first half and fell behind on 69 minutes to Darren Johnson.

With just four minutes remaining Karl Fillingham made it two but almost immediately Tom Burke raised the hopes of Wolviston only for the Cumbrians to maintain their narrow lead.

Teesside Athletic enjoyed a 4-0 romp at home to Willington. Their hero was James Kesterton who rifled a hat-trick with Andrew Porritt the other marksman.

Ryhope CW and Guisborough Black Swan ended goal-less although the visitors were close to a goal as Michael Burlinson made a tremendous save in the second period.