Leaders Middlesbrough are determined to continue their unrelenting bid to return the championship to Acklam Park after an absence of 13 years.

With just three games remaining, including today's visit of mid-table, Redcar, they know the title will be a formality if they maintain their form.

Defeat on Saturday for long-time leaders Northallerton, who were deposed at the top just a week ago, and the inability of Great Ayton to keep up their challenge helped Boro's cause as they rolled over neighbours Normanby Hall.

It was a day of personal celebration for Boro's professional Alex Roberts, who became the first this season to reach the special milestone of 1,000 runs. Needing just eight, he finished well past his target to join the league's elite club.

He made an impressive 92 as Boro posted a formidable 263-5 with Adil Ditta (56) and Chetnya Nanda (43 not out) also giving their visitors a lot of ball chasing to do.

Then Nanda, Boro's Indian pro, took Normanby's batting apart with his leg spin. The Hall managed just 131 in reply with Nanda finishing with 6-31.

The disappointment for Northallerton, who lost by six wickets at Hartlepool, and a drawn finish for Ayton at Bishop Auckland extended Boro's lead from five points to 14.

There was consolation for Ayton as they made second place even though their run of five wins in six games came to an end.

Bishops enjoyed one of their best batting days of the season with Amul Mazumdar making an unbeaten 116 with eight fours and three sixes and sharing in an opening stand of 192 with Gary Pratt (84 including nine fours).

Ayton, in reply, fell 24 runs short of the victory to maintain their challenge to the leaders.

Chris Batchelor matched the Bishops' professional by also hitting his first ton of the season and it included 13 fours and a six from 152 balls.

A batting slump was responsible for Northallerton's reverse at Hartlepool where an unbeaten half century from second team captain, David Wake salvaged a modicum of respectability for their total to reach 166.

His rescue act with John Sample (36) took the score from 81-7 to 158-8. But it was a long way short of putting Pool under pressure as the in-form Mike Gough made an unbeaten 84, including 60 in boundaries, after batting throughout with a groin strain - and a runner.

Gough also passed the exclusive 1,000 runs target from his 18th innings, one more than Roberts at Middlesbrough.

The day's highest team total came from Guisborough against arch-rivals Saltburn as they posted 274-4.

Farhaan Behardien ended a quiet patch with his second century of the season while Richard Dunn (61), Graham Murray (51) and brother, Ryan (42 not out) all contributed.

But the Seasiders, although already relegated, were determined not to be beaten and reached 135-5 with Sean McCabe (47 not out) and Kevin Brown (44) leading the good fight.

Marton enjoyed a five-wicket victory at Redcar where John Glendenen made an unbeaten half century after the home professional, Tariq Aziz had top scored with 71 out of 145-9.

And Richmondshire got back on the winning trail after a six-match drought at Darlington where James Clarkson top scored with 79 against his former team.

Six wickets for Blackhall's Mohammad Mirza might normally have been enough to win against Marske but they dug-in for a draw with Guy Whatmore top scoring with 63.

In the first division former leaders Thornaby are playing catch-up after suffering a points deduction but they pulled back 12 when they beat Barnard Castle while new table toppers, Billingham Synthonia lost narrowly at Stokesley.