Middlesbrough will have to play catch-up as Northallerton extended their lead at the top following a run of seven games in which neither side would give away an advantage.

Hartlepool dealt the blow to Boro's title hopes when they held them at Acklam Park in an evenly balanced match in which over 500 runs were scored.

It meant that Northallerton's ninth straight win, when they disposed of bottom club Saltburn, provided them with an extra five point cushion.

Boro, now 20 points adrift, looked to have reached a winning position when they scored 302-2 and declared giving themselves an extra over to bowl out Pools.

Top form professional Alex Roberts hit his fourth century of the season to become the league's most prolific scorer with 652 runs from just nine innings. His unbeaten 150 from 160 balls included 78 in boundaries and featured notable partnerships with Chetnya Nanda (77 not out) and James Lowe (62). Nanda, Boro's overseas pro, also took four wickets but not before Paul Johnston, one of the best of the league's young batsmen, scored his first century of the season for Pools.

His 119 from 136 balls included 80 in boundaries and with Boro's other bowlers unable to find a way through, they were able to keep five wickets intact as they reached a respectable 211 in their reply.

Northallerton won by seven wickets, even though Saltburn produced their best batting display of a worrying season. They set the leaders 174 after newcomer Will McDougall made an unbeaten 49.

But the leader's batting has never been better with opener Rashmi Parida, their Indian professional, in sensational form. He was unbeaten for the sixth time in nine innings and with 631 runs to his credit has the remarkable average of 210.

Skipper Liam Botham stayed in good form with 49 and Doug Mulholland's 33 helped take them over the winning line in under 35 overs.

Third-placed Marton had another spectacular win to boost their hopes when they bowled out the champions, Great Ayton, for 57. Over the Bank Holiday they skittled Blackhall for 48 with their professional, Imran Tahir getting six wickets. Against Ayton he got another three but it was Mark Ditchburn (6-21) who was the man-of-the-match this time.

Richmondshire are making their rivals sit up and take notice after their third successive win kept them in fourth place and among the title hopefuls. They got the better of Guisborough with Mike Layfield hitting an unbeaten 70 and young Chris Layfield taking three wickets. Redcar's pro, Tariq Aziz, took his season's run tally to within four runs of 500 when he got his second century at Marske to give his side a timely third win.

His unbeaten 118 from 144 balls, which included 74 in boundaries, followed a 17 over spell with the ball in which he took five wickets.

Marske professional Rob Nicol, who rarely fails and was the first in the league to reach 500 runs last weekend, was out second ball without scoring.

Acting skipper Jon Wiltshire hit a half century as Marske posted 189 but their opponents got home by four wickets.

There was little to choose between Normanby Hall and Darlington who are finding it hard among the bottom three, but in a high scoring match they each collected a useful share of the points. Talab Ramzan (88) top scored for the Hall while Neil Pratt's return from injury for the Quakers inspired a solid batting display.

Bishop Auckland's Amul Mazumdar (7-37 and 79) must have thought his outstanding performance would have marked his team down as winners but Blackhall battled for a draw. Mazumdar, the Bishops'professional, rarely bowls so to be the top wicket taker was some feat.

In the yesterday's Division One programme, leaders Thornaby dropped five points as they were held at home by Guisborough.

Ian MacDonald scored 83 as Thornaby made 195 for eight.

The visitors never threatened this total but neither did they look like losing as they held out comfortably.

Billingham also dropped points when they were unable to dislodge Darlington's last pair which left the way clear for Seaton Carew to reinforce their third position as they destroyed Sedgefield with John Fitzpatrick and Kevin Gibbon taking five wickets apiece to recover some of the ground lost in their draw on Saturday.

Stokesley and Middlesbrough were the only teams who made it a double with their second win of the weekend, while Wolviston easily defeated Normanby Hall.