HARTLEPOOL gave one of their best performances of the season on Saturday when they rallied to defeat second-top Whitehaven in a seven-goal thriller.

It looked all over for Pools when they trailed by three goals inside 18 minutes, the defence torn apart by Michael Farrer, Stephen Hewitt and David Dustin.

Kyle Anderson reduced the deficit after 35 minutes, and in a frenetic final 13 minutes, they scored three goals to finish 4-3 winners.

Lee Haggen converted a 77thminute penalty and Stephen Chapman restored parity, and with seven minutes remaining Shaun Ross completed a memorable victory.

Whitehaven remain second but are now three points adrift of New Marske who have three games in hand. The Seasiders were also involved in an exciting eight-goal contest with Jarrow who scored three times in the last 15 minutes to earn a point after trailing 4-1.

Daryl Turnbull put Jarrow in front on 14 minutes but New Marske hit back with goals from twins Shaun Mackin (2), and Michael. Alex Anderson also added to the woes of Jarrow.

The South Tynesiders though did not sit back and after Paul Scott made the score 4-2 in the 75th minute, Paul Clegg struck two minutes from the end and with virtually the last kick of the game Aaron Todd equalised.

Hartlepool are now fourth and Ryhope CW remain third, now level on points with Whitehaven.

The Wearsiders just edged Harton and Westoe by the odd goal in three after Mark Davison had twice found the net.

He put Ryhope in front on 25 minutes beating the goalkeeper and two defenders on the line following a rebound and just before the interval converted a penalty awarded for a handling offence.

Anthony Cook reduced the arrears midway through the second period but Ryhope held on for a crucial victory.

Teesside Athletic hit Silksworth Community for six despite having Callum Reveley sent off in the 40th minute. By then, Reveley had bagged a brace of goals and set up one for Billy Millington.

Dominic Tokarski also scored and before Steve Thompson and Steve Hodgson completed a comprehensive victory.

Michael Connor and Mark Green were on target for Ashbrooke Belford House against Coxhoe Athletic, who pulled one back through Matthew Davison.

Glyn Edwards and Darren Johnson were the marksmen in a 2-1 victory for Cleator Moor Celtic at Boldon CA who scored courtesy of Martin Thompson.

Easington Colliery had a 2-1 success over East Durham United.

Stephen Hodgson and Dean Fox (pen) were the scorers with David Lamb replying.

There was another 2-1 result at Guisborough Black Swan who edged Windscale. Paul Millward and Michael Magowan found the net for Black Swan, while Mark Hartley pulled one back.