North Shields are firm favourites to achieve their ambition and join the Albany Northern League.

They moved to the top of the table with a decisive victory over Windscale and are now a point ahead of Birtley Town with three games in hand on their rivals.

Windscale goalkeeper Chris Stewart made excellent saves to deny Stephen Hamil and Eddie Miller before the Robins broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.

Hamil chased a long through ball from Anthony Robson and when Stewart failed to hold his shot, Hamil pounced on the rebound.

North Shields went 2-0 up 12 minutes into the second period. Robson was again the supplier for Hamil who shrugged off a defender before chipping the ball into the top corner of the net for his 23rd goal of the season.

It was all over 19 minutes from time as Andy Stokes crossed into the middle.

Hamil was unlucky not to complete a hat-trick when his shot was blocked and it was Andy Hay who was first there to rifle in the rebound.

At the other end of the table third-from-bottom Barnard Castle Glaxo conceded eight goals at Boldon CA making it a total of 22 in the last three matches.

Lee Seff plundered four goals, Gordon Williams bagged a brace with Kevin Tron and Mark Williams adding to the woes of Glaxo.

Darlington RA moved into sixth position by defeating second-from-basement Ferryhill Athletic 3-1. Stephen Sinclair and Stephen Lyall gave them a cushion of a two-goal lead but when Andrew Patterson replied, it was all to play for.

Ferryhill though then conceded a penalty which Gary Hornsby converted.

Jarrow were another side two goals ahead but they had to be content with a draw against Harton and Westoe at Perth Green. Andrew Barclay and Gary Atwell put them into a comfortable position only for Shaun Simpson and Dale Wells (pen) to reply.

Wolviston reached the semi finals of the League Cup coming from behind to defeat New Marske, who went ahead on the half hour through Jamie May. Paul Griffiths equalised and two goals in five minutes by David Dowd sealed the Seasiders' fate.

Cleadon SC also progressed defeating Whitehaven by a similar 3-1 result. Peter Brand (2) and Derek Newton netted with Robert Fowler (pen) on target for the Cumbrians.

After leading 2-0 through Jonathan Newton and Stephen Pennock (pen), Stokesley SC needed extra time at home to Annfield Plain who levelled with two strikes by Matthew Gent. Craig Johnson put Stokesley through with a goal in the first period of additional time.

Birtley Town also reached the last four defeating neighbours Gateshead Reserves with an only goal by Craig McManus in the first minute.