Barnard Castle Glaxo gave championship challengers Birtley Town a real shock before losing a seven-goal thriller.

It looked all over for the home side at the halfway stage when Birtley led 4-0 but Glaxo mounted a remarkable revival which almost earned them a point.

Even when Joe Baum reduced the gulf on 69 minutes, Birtley appeared comfortable but seven minutes later Stuart Murray made it 4-2. With nine minutes remaining Baum scored his second to set up a frenetic finale.

The visitors held on for three crucial points, their first half strikes by Philip Makel (2), Craig McManus and an own goal eventually seeing them home.

North Shields made it ten goals in two matches defeating Boldon CA 5-1. It was an uphill struggle for Boldon once they had Philip Jary sent off in the 20th minute.

Three goals in 14 minutes by Eddie Miller, David Little and Roy Gordon put the leaders firmly in command. Aaron Scott headed in a fourth goal and although John Taylor hit back for Boldon, Gordon blasted in his second to help keep his side in pole position on goals difference from Birtley Town.

At the other end of the table, Ferryhill Athletic conceded three goals in the last 18 minutes and lost 4-0 at Windscale. There was little between the sides in the first half but Mark Young eventually broke the deadlock on 58 minutes.

As they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Ferryhill left the way open for Young to score again and in the final eight minutes Kevin Law and Joe Shepherd also hit the target.

Two players were sent off and five booked as Wolviston ended 4-2 winners at Washington Nissan UK who levelled through Martin Swailes and Stephen Brian after Paul Griffiths and Keiron White had given the visitors a two-goal lead.

Michael Diciccio then bagged a brace, scoring twice in as many minutes, as Wolviston celebrated their tenth win of the season.

Goals were a lot more scarce at Ryhope CW who edged one-time leaders Cleadon SC when Andrew Place was on hand to fire in a rebound. In the first half, a penalty by Mark Johnson was well saved by Ryhope goalkeeper Michael Burlinson.

There was no stopping Darlington RA who hammered Whitehaven 7-2 at home. Stephen Johnson (2), Stephen Sinclair (2), Martin Brown, Stephen Bell and Rob Morley all netted for RA with Carl McGrady twice on the mark for the Cumbrians.

Jarrow continued their climb up the table defeating Gateshead Reserves 3-2. Dean Patton (2) and Mark Rumbles were their scorers with Simon Reay and Richard Kent replying for Gateshead.

Darren Mitchell was the hero for New Marske who defeated Beads 5-4 on penalties in the quarter final of the North Riding County Cup. Mitchell, who normally plays fullback, turned out as an emergency goalkeeper and saved one of Beads' penalty kicks.

The sides ended 2-2 following extra time. Lee Bowes scored after just 45 seconds and Ben Walker put through his own goal for Beads while New Marske twice hit back through James Kesterton and Gary Owens to set up a penalty shoot-out.