Birtley Town regained the lead of the Wearside League after an exciting 3-3 draw at Gateshead Reserves, who came from behind three times to equalise.

The visitors took an early lead through Jason Jones who headed home from a corner. George Wetherley equalised on the half hour when he broke through a static Birtley defence before shooting home. Michael McKay restored Birtley's advantage with a clean finish on the stroke of half time.

Scott Kerr restored parity just after the hour mark, before Kevin Murphy took the lead for the third time in the game. It looked to be enough for all three points until a late penalty awarded for a trip inside the box was converted by Paul Gibbs for the Tynesides.

Town go a point ahead of North Shields who have three games in hand and a far superior goal difference.

Stokesley were the day's top scorers but remain third after their 6-0 demolition of Cleadon on Wearside. The visitors raced to a 4-0 half time lead through Tony Sibells (2), Adam Bramley and Richard Hore, the latter a tremendous 30 yard shot. John Newton grabbed a brace to wrap up the victory.

Struggling Ferryhill went down to a 5-0 defeat at home to Jarrow. Paul McDonald opened the scoring mid way through the first period to see the half time score 1-0 to the visitors.

Two goals in six minutes early in the second half all but sealed the points for Jarrow with a Mark Lally penalty and a strike from Ian Rowland. McDonald grabbed his second of the game midway though the half and a Jason Catterall own goal completed the misery for Ferryhill.

Goals from Williams and Rolf were enough to see Boldon climb one place to fifth after their win at Darlington RA.

On the west coast, Washington Nissan may well have been wishing the weather had put a stop to their game as they crashed 4-1 to Whitehaven. Carl McGready grabbed a brace for the home side and further strikes from Robert Fowler (pen) and Jason Murphy meant that the visitors have conceded 114 goals this season. Steve Bryan struck Nissan's consolation.

The games at Annfield Plain, Harton & Westoe, Barnard Castle Glaxo and New Marske were all postponed due to the severe weather conditions.