Darlington RA extended their lead at the top of the table to four points when they hit luckless Ferryhill Athletic for eight on Saturday.

There was no stopping the Brinkburn Road side and once they established a three-goal lead by the interval, the result was never in doubt.

Warren Byrne rifled a hat-trick and others came from James Chapman, Stephen Bell, Michael Carter, Martin Brown and Paul Freary.

Cleadon SC, enjoying their best season in years, moved into fourth position with a 3-2 win at Birtley Town.

It looked all over for the home side when they conceded goals to Andrew Quinn (2) and Mark Johnson by the 40th minute but Birtley rallied.

Ross Preston reduced the deficit and then threw the result wide open with a second goal. Cleadon though held out during the final seven minutes.

A hat-trick by Carl Wilson was the feature of a 3-1 victory for Wolviston over Jarrow who were by far the better team in the opening 20 minutes. It was against the run of play when Wilson scored his first and he added a second on the hour.

Andrew Lally threw Jarrow a lifeline before Wilson completed his hat-trick with a stunning strike from 20 yards.

Shottom Comrades suffered a 6-2 defeat at home to Boldon CA for whom Michael Meek and Lee Seff both scored three goals. Washington Nissan UK claimed only their second point of the season holding Whitehaven to a 2-2 draw.

Indeed, it appeared that the Wearsiders might secure their first victory when they led through Thomas Donkin and Wayne Bland but Craig Robson and Robert Fowler scored either side of half time for the Cumbrians.

Sport Catterick were the only side from the league to reach the next round of the North Riding County Cup. A splendid hat-trick by Sam Vernalls just gave them the edge at Pickering Town for whom Joe Greening bagged a brace of goals.

Stokesley SC went out on penalties at Thornaby BC. Craig Johnson put them in front on 18 minutes and after Danny Jones levelled in the 32nd minute there were no further goals following extra time. Thornaby then won 4-3 on penalties.

New Marske suffered a 3-0 defeat at Grangetown BC and in the Durham Trophy Coxhoe Athletic made their exit at the hands of Chopwell Top Club who won by the only goal.