Darlington RA enjoyed a double celebration at the weekend. Not only did they defeat Whitehaven but they avenged a recent reverse at the hands of the Cumbrians.

"It was nice to win and win well. I thought we played some good football and in recent weeks I have seen us get stronger," said manager Dave Woodcock.

"We have taken 13 points out of the last 15 and I am looking to finish in the top five or six which would be a marvellous achievement considering the start we made.

"The side was plagued by suspensions and injuries but we have come through and recently we have beaten both Cleadon SC and Gateshead Reserves, who are decent teams."

Woodcock believes that his present squad is the strongest he has had this season and that two additions are playing crucial roles.

"I was pleased when Steve Johnson returned from Washington Nissan after leaving us for Whitby. I have also recently signed James Chapman from Shildon and he made a cracking debut last Saturday."

RA are attempting to further strengthen the team with next season very much in mind. "It would be good to repeat the run of form we did in the second half of last season and it is certainly within us to do so but I am also looking ahead to the next campaign. We really want to make a strong challenge for the championship next time around," added Woodcock.

Barnard Castle manager John Hall thought his side was desperately unlucky not to claim a point against second-top Birtley Town at the weekend - even though they were four goals down at the halfway stage.

"We did not know how to handle them in the opening 45 minutes and at half time I told them to keep the ball down and pass it around rather than hit it upfield.

"Our tactics paid off and when we came back to 4-3 they were certainly rattled. We went down to ten men but even so were close to an equaliser in the last few minutes.

"We have played well in the last couple of months and our scalps include Stokesley SC who are also challenging for the title. Only a few weeks ago, we would have probably finished 7-0 losers if we were adrift by four goals at half time but thankfully those days are gone," enthused Hall.

Birtley Town manager Dave Smith admits he was pleased to hear the final whistle. "I thought we murdered them in the first period but in the end we were lucky - make no mistake about it. They should have had a fourth goal but we held on and we are level on points with North Shields," said Smith.

Saturday's results: League: Barnard Castle Glaxo 3, Birtley Town 4; Boldon CA 1, North Shields 5; Darlington RA 7, Whitehaven 2; Jarrow 3, Gateshead Reserves 2; Ryhope CW 1, Cleadon SC 0; Washington Nissan UK 2, Wolviston 4; Windscale 4, Ferryhill Athletic 0; Harton and Westoe v Stokesley SC postponed, ground unfit.

North Riding County Cup Quarter Final: Beads 2, New Marske 2 (aet), New Marske won 5-4 on penalties.

Tomorrow's fixtures: League: Cleadon SC v Washington Nissan UK, Ferryhill Athletic v Ryhope CW, New Marske v Barnard Castle Glaxo, North Shields v Windscale, Harton and Westoe v Annfield Plain

Monkwearmouth Charity Cup Third Round: Boldon CA v Darlington RA, Gateshead Reserves v Whitehaven, Jarrow v Birtley Town, Wolviston v Stokesley SC.