Leaders Coxhoe Athletic beat Durham University 6-0 to put them five points above second placed Belford House with a game in hand.

A brace from Dean Smithson and a goal from Lee Thistlewaite had them 3-0 up in the first half. Andrew Soppitt hit two goals and Brent Smithson struck another to leave it 6-0 to the impressive Coxhoe Athletic.

Seaham Mallard lost their home tie 5-1 to Hartlepool Town. Two goals each from Dave Smith and Steve Doyle put Hartlepool 4-0 up, Alistair Dickinson replied to make it 4-1. The only goal of the second half was by Danny Charlton.

Seaham Town won their home tie 2-1 against Ebchester. The Town were 1-0 up in the first half when Kevin Coyle beat Graham Burdon in goal for Ebchester, with an 18-yard strike. It was 2-0 to Town when 32-year-old Kevin Turns scored only the second goal of his career with a 32-yard screamer. Neil Swainston pulled a goal back for Ebchester.

Brandon Prince Bishop went down 2-1 away to Whitehill FC. The Bishops went ahead when Paul Eilles struck a delightful 20-yard free kick through Whitehills defence to beat the unsighted keeper. Whitehill drew level when Ryan Drummond slotted in from a neat cross by Kevin Coats. Whitehill won the game in style when Danny O'Brien chipped the keeper from 20 yards.

Birtley Town Reserves went down 4-3 in a thriller at home to Shildon Railway. A penalty by Kevin Hamilton put Shildon in front and goals from Stefan McGowan and Neil Robinson made it 3-0.

Soon afterwards Michael Bradley pulled a goal back to make it 3-1 at half-time. Another goal by Bradley on 55 minutes had Birtley back in the game until McGowan increased Shildon's lead to 4-2. Again Birtley were back in it when a great volley from Colin Beadling brought it to 4-3.

RESULTS: Saturday: Birtley Town Res. 3 Shildon Railway 4; Coxhoe Athletic 6 Durham University 0; Seaham Mallard 1 Hartlepool Town 5; Seaham Town CFC 2 Ebchester 1; Whitehill 2 Brandon Prince Bishop 1.

Monday: Birtley Town Res. 1 Brandon Prince Bishop 1; Shildon Railway 5 Belford House 0.