There was a major shock in the Third Division when Horse & Groom not only stunned Ball Alley, but they also hit them for six.

The defeat has severely dented the promotion hopes of Ball Alley who were rocked by a couple of Mickey Elder goals and others from David Sewell, John Charlton, Ricky Gobbo and Martin Slater.

Leaders Burgoynnes had no such problems as a Michael Nicholson hat-trick guided them to maximum points and a 3-0 home win over the Scotch Arms.

Mark Farthing, Graham Baldridge and Chris Dawson saw Freemasons on their way to a 3-1 win over the Smelters while Burnhope and Delves United shared eight goals.

A Steve Myers hat-trick was the feature of a 7-2 Duke of Wellington win over Cronniwell.

Plainsman enjoyed a much needed win in Division Two, but only just as they saw off Consett Steel Club 3-2. Carl Gerry got his usual goal for the Plainsman along with David Craig and Glenn Ferry with Andy McBride's double in vain for the Steel Club.

Craig Robson scored twice as the Black Horse beat the Highwayman 4-3 and Michael Cook, Danny Gilbert and David Strother strikes paved the way for a 3-1 Bute Arms win over Annfield Plain Demi who managed a Lee Carriss goal.