In the premier Ferryhill Greyhound won 4-0 at home against Usworth to keep their hopes of being runners-up very much alive.

Ferryhill opened in fine style and took an early lead when Billy Taylor headed home a cross from Gavin Little and then went 2-0 up when the same player scored again shortly before the interval. The second half followed a similar pattern with Ferryhill always in control and further goals from Paul Callander and Geoff Mason settled the issue 4-0. Gavin Little and Ian McQuade starred.

In the relegation battle Norton-Stockton won 2-0 away to Darlington Croft to keep their survival hopes alive. The first half ended goalless with both sides having chances. The restart saw end to end football and ten minutes in saw Mark Steel fouled in the area, Kevin Smith made no mistake with a spot kick. Darlington could not find a way through Norton's defensive barrier and finally Mark Steel made sure of the points when he made it 2-0 scoring a 20-yard piledriver. Colin Steer and Geoff Kirton shone for Norton.

In Division One the leaders Consett dropped three valuable points by losing 2-1 at home to Hartlepool Catholic Club. Pool belied their lowly position and now look almost certain to avoid relegation - only one club will be relegated as two clubs, Masons Arms and Wallsend RAOB, resigned during the season. The game saw Pool determined to win and they attacked at every opportunity, Boagey and Ritchie gave them a 2-0 interval lead. They then missed a penalty, Paul Reed hitting the ball well over the bar. Consett pulled one back but never really looked like saving the game as Pool were the better side.

Barnard Castle Glaxo kept their promotion hopes alive (to finish in third spot) by winning 3-1 at home against the Touchdown. Castle began in fine style, taking the lead after five minutes when Alan Gates score from the edge of the box. Touchdown fought back strongly and Pattison levelled volleying home a cross from Archie Morton. Touchdown pressed forward and McMillan had a shot kicked off the line and Glaxo keeper had to make two great saves to deny them shortly before half-time. Castle regained the initiative and in one of their attacks a full-blooded clearance by Ridden hit Alan Briggs and rocketed into the net to put Castle 2-1 ahead. The second half saw end to end football and the issue was settled when Ian Golightly scored direct with a free kick from outside the box to give Castle a 3-1 lead.

Sedgefield turned in an excellent performance to win 3-0 away from home against Northumberland side Moor House.

In division two Wynyard Vets won 4-1 at home against Rams Head and are still there on the verge of promotion being in third spot and having games in hand of the two sides above them. Langley Park by losing appeared to have lost out on promotion, but if they won the bulk of their games left would still have a squeak.

Billingham Town are in trouble, they lost 7-3 away to Hebburn and are now third from bottom. However, they cannot be written off are five or six clubs still concerned with relegation and a series of wins could completely alter the situation, especially now as midweek games are necessary to clear the backlog of league and cup matches.

In division three Crook Town continued their winning run by toppling the leaders Boldon Black Bull 5-1 away from home and are now third. Crook opened with attacking football and took the lead after ten minutes when David Neil shot home a pass from Frank Robinson. Still on the attack they went 2-0 up courtesy of a Frank Robinson power drive and shortly before the interval went into a 3-0 lead. Trevor Howard headed home a cross from Kevin Smith. Boldon pulled one back after the restart through Barry Turnbull, but it was not their day so they failed with two spot kicks. Crook took over again and a brace of goals from David Neil which saw him complete his hat-trick let Crook go nap to win 5-1 away from home.

West Cornforth lost 5-0 away to new league leaders British Telecom and they now drop back into seventh.

In division four Thornley Celtic stay top. They won 2-0 away to Hartlepool Warrior who although holding Thornley to a goalless first half, failed to hold them after the restart and lost 2-0.

Trimdon Vets did well delivering a setback to Pennywell's promotion hopes by winning 4-2 at home. The first half ended goalless, but two minutes after the restart David Thompson slammed home the Pennywell's keeper's goal kick to put Trimdon in the lead. Pennywell stormed back to level 1-1, Thompson then made it 2-1 and Tommy Smith added another 3-1 and then made it 4-1 when he put away a cross from Thompson. Pennwell scored late on to make it 2-4.

Peterlee stay in second place after winning 3-0 away to Wynyard OB. The first half was even ending goalless, but the Old Boys tired after the restart and Peterlee came good to score three goals. Stars for Old Boys were Billy Rogers and Gerry Redhead. Terry Wright scored a brace and John Albrow scored one for Peterlee.