The weather caused the biggest number of postponements this season when eight of the ten scheduled matches were called off because of rain and wind.

Stokesley SC managed to stage their game with Ferryhill Athletic and were rewarded with a handsome victory enabling them to reduce Darlington RA's lead to seven points.

There was no stopping the Teessiders who rifled eight goals taking their total from 19 games to an impressive 67 - by far the highest in the league.

The result was all but settled by the halfway stage when Stokesley led 4-1 and repeated their onslaught in the second period as gallant Ferryhill tried in vain to stem the flood.

Craig Johnson was outstanding in the home attack and it was no more than he deserved when he completed a hat-trick. Harrison Davies bagged a brace with Matthew Homan, Ian Redpath and John Humberstone adding to the woes of Ferryhill whose only reply was a spectacular 20-yard effort from Lee Jewitt.

Stokesley, with two games in hand on Darlington RA, have played two more than Coxhoe Athletic who maintained third position defeating Shotton Comrades 2-0.

The visitors, encouraged by victory in their previous game, denied Coxhoe until the 55th minute when Gary O'Hara headed in a free kick.

Although the home side were comfortable the result was far from settled and Shotton passed up an opportunity to equalise with 20 minutes remaining.

They paid the penalty as Lee Atkinson made sure of three crucial points for Coxhoe, coolly slotting the ball into the net in the 80th minute.

Coxhoe continue to confound the critics in their first season in the competition.

Although they are 16 points adrift of Darlington RA they have played four fewer games and with 21 still to complete are in with a chance of claiming the championship.

Results: Coxhoe Athletic 2, Shotton Comrades 0; Stokesley SC 8, Ferryhill Athletic 1. All other matches postponed.