In the premier league Norton-Stockton, despite an amazing comeback, lost 3-2 at home to Ferryhill who led 1-0 at the break courtesy of a Kevin Simpson goal and after the restart went 2-0 up through McQuade.

Norton rallied and came back strongly scoring twice through Harry Davies and Colin Heffron to level the scores 2-2, but in the closing minutes David Stephenson netted the winner 3-2 for the Greyhound.

In division one Glaxo won 4-2 at home to Moor House. The visitors opened in fine style and went on to a 2-0 lead. The Castle now rallied and a fine solo effort from Nookie Proud made it 2-1 and later Nookie latched on to a fine pass from Alan Gates to slot home and level the scores 2-2. The second half saw the Castle in full control and goals from Odder Hodgson and Geoff Maddison won the match 4-2.

Newton Aycliffe won 4-2 at home against Sunderland Catholic Club. Trailing 2-0 at the interval to a brace of goals from Steve Hope. They came good after the restart and goals from Geoff Peaden, Lee Killip, Anthony Collins and Ian Mahon they romped home 4-2 winners.

In division three Crook Town lost 4-2 away to second placed British Telecom. Crook dominated the opening stages to lead 2-0, but close on half-time Peter Ribbs scored for BT to make it 2-1. After the restart George Watt levelled and two further goals from Tulip and Watt saw BT win 4-2 in a game in which Crook looked well on the way to an easy victory.

Thornley Celtic won 2-1 at home against the Sportsmans Arms and now are the new leaders of division four.

With all grounds closed in the Sunderland area only 17 games were played in the Over-40s league.

In the Ironside Cup, second round Langley Park Rams Head lost 2-0 at home to Red House. The Rams Head played well but just failed to hold a promotion side like Red House. The first half ended goalless with both teams having chances. After the restart Rams went 1-0 down when their keeper just could not hold a fierce shot from Norman Gilby. Rams applied the pressure, but Red House held firm and in a breakaway Ferguson scored to settle the issue 2-0 to the visitors. Chatterton had an outstanding game.

South Shields Spring Gardens and Billingham had a typical cup battle. Billingham led 2-0 at the interval and looked well on the way to victory, but Gardens rallied and in a spectacular fight-back scored twice to level 2-2 and force extra time. The Gardens then went 3-2 up but Billingham levelled, then 4-3 only for the visitors to again level and penalties become necessary. Neither side should have lost, but in the end Gardens triumphed in the shoot-out.

In the Billy Lorraine Cup Trimdon Vets won 3-2 against Marsden Vets. The first half belonged to Trimdon, David Thompson put them ahead and Shaun McIlvaney made it 2-0 close on the break. The restart saw Marsden pull one back through Darren Waite but Trimdon came back and a shot from Tony Smith was deflected into the net by Keith Dixon for an own goal to make it 3-1. The visitors rallied and made it 3-2 courtesy of a Cliff McGuinness goal and then pushed all forward to save the match and nearly did when Billy Foley hit the bar with the last kick of the game.

Tomorrow's fixtures

Kenny Ball Cup, second and third round: Darlington Croft v Glaxo; Langley Park Rams Head v Moor House; Spring Gardens v Holywell Fax Ox; Wardley Green v Toll Bar.

Echo Cup, quarter-final: Crook Town v British Telecom

Alan Spedding Cup, first and second rounds: Grindon Broadway v Sunderland Catholic; Consett Duke of Wellington v Sedgefield United; Wearmouth CW v Newton Aycliffe

Robson-Pattison Cup, quarter-final: Blackhall Hardwick v Owton Manor SC; Ferryhill Greyhound v Norton-Stockton; Penshaw Catholic v Marden.

Premier Division: Silksworth Lord Seaham v Killingworth Arms.

Division One: Hartlepool Touchdown Hotel v Hartlepool Catholic.

Division Two: Hylton Castle WMC v Barnes Hotel; Red House WMC v Wingate; Darlington Railway v Gateshead Greencroft; Whitley Bay v Hebburn DT; Willow Pond v Billingham Town.

Division Three: Hedworthfield Deneside v Dagmar FC; Regency Windows v Houghton Mill Inn; West Cornforth v Houghton CC.

Division Four: DSS Darsley Park v Grindon Vets; Hartlepool Warrior v Sportsmans Arms; Peterlee FC v Horden Comrades; Roker Queen Vic v Pennywell Comrades; Marsden Vets v Halfway House; Thornley Celtic v Wynyard OB; Trimdon Vets v Steels FC