NORTH-EAST engineering firm Cleveland Bridge last night claimed its first victory in an ongoing battle over cash with its former employer at Wembley Stadium.

An independent adjudicator has ruled that Multiplex, the Australian firm in charge of the Wembley construction project, must pay £423,000 to the Darlington company.

Multiplex launched the proceedings, claiming it had overpaid Cleveland Bridge £14m for work at Wembley.

But the judgement has found the opposite - that Multiplex actually owes cash to Cleveland Bridge.

Cleveland Bridge won a £60m contract to build the stadium's arch and roof, but stopped work on the project in August because of the proceedings.

The decision to pull out meant it had to shed 95 jobs in Darlington.

More than 200 steelworkers at the Wembley site also lost their jobs, but were reinstated after union intervention.

A statement from Cleveland Bridge last night said the company was pleased, but was awaiting further clarification from the adjudicator, which could see it given significantly more money from Multiplex.

"This outcome wholly supports Cleveland Bridge's view that Multiplex did not honour its commitments," it said.

"Multiplex still owes Cleveland Bridge a significant sum of money for the work completed on the Wembley Stadium site."

A Multiplex spokeswoman said they were happy with the result and glad the matter had been resolved.

"It is now a case of moving on with the construction of Wembley on time and on budget," she said.

"Multiplex would love to say more but has been advised by lawyers that the proceedings are private."

The row is not over yet. Two further adjudications are pending and Cleveland Bridge still plans to make a claim in the Court of Technology and Construction against Multiplex.

The stadium is due to open for the 2006 FA Cup Final.