Birtley Town made it six out of six at Gateshead Reserves on Saturday and are beginning to pose a threat to leaders Darlington RA.

It was the home side who opened the scoring through Liam Bell after 25 minutes but in a frenetic final 15 minutes to the first half, Birtley rifled four goals.

The experienced Paul Bryson levelled and then put Birtley in front before Neil Blue also bagged a brace of goals.

From then on, there was no way back for lowly Gateshead who conceded a fifth goal to Paul Coxon in the 50th minute.

Coxhoe Athletic are now only seven points adrift of second placed Stokesley SC and have two games in hand on their rivals. They were put to the test at Wolviston and looked to be on their way to defeat when they leaked two goals inside 25 minutes to Dean Moore and Andy Steele.

Wayne Gredziak became the hero for Coxhoe and after throwing his side a lifeline with a 35th minute strike he completed his hat-trick with two goals in as many minutes mid-way through the second half.

Jarrow's hopes of moving into fourth position were rudely shattered by neighbours Boldon CA. Following a goalless first half the home side dominated the second period.

David Hopper headed home on 52 minutes and three goals in 12 minutes from Dean Goodwin and Craig Rolfe (2) sealed Jarrow's fate. Two minutes from time Boldon's Keith Mason and Jarrow's Dean Patton were sent off.

Not much is going right for bottom-of-the-table Ferryhill Athletic and their game with Washington Nissan UK was no exception.

They took the lead through Tony Stebbing after just three minutes but Nissan then went 2-1 up through Anthony Land and Kyle Sumner. Christopher Mulkerrin conceded an own goal to make it 3-1 and although Stebbing scored again, Ferryhill failed to find an equaliser.

Tony Quinn and Kris Soulsby had Annfield Plain in the driving seat and Quinn also missed a penalty before Whitehaven levelled in the 88th minute courtesy of Jonathan Wright. Earlier, Carl McGrady had reduced the Cumbrians deficit.

New Marske just edged Shotton Comrades with a last gasp winner from Steve Hodgson. Billy Millington and Steve Thompson put the Seasiders firmly in control but two goals in five minutes from Mike Bradley and Gregg Hoyland appeared to have earned Shotton a point. With just a minute left Steve Hodgson struck for New Marske.

First half goals from David Myer and Gary Stephenson were sufficient for Harton & Westoe against Ryhope CW.

Stokesley SC and Cleator Moor Celtic reached the semi-finals of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup.

Windscale scored first through Mark Young but Stokesley took the tie when Michael Wilson and Craig Nelson found the net while Cleadon SC crashed out 3-0 at Cleator Moor whose marksmen were Jack Rudd (2) and Gareth Evans.