Darlington Railway are having a lean spell at the moment, nothing they do seems to come, shots hit the bar or the posts and if they make an error it always ends with a goal being given away.

They lost 7-0 away to Hylton Castle for whom all they did came off. Scorers were Monson and Conlon, a brace each, and Gibbon, Hewitt and Joyce one apiece.

Gateshead Greencroft stay on course, they won 2-0 at home to Billingham Town.

In division Three West Cornforth won their seventh game in a row 2-1 against Hartlepool RNC. They took the lead after ten minutes when Tony Rowe scored with a fine solo effort and after 25 minutes went 2-0 up when Rowe scored his second goal of the match.

The Navy Club pulled one back after the restart with a shot at centre but the issue never looked in dioubt as Cornforth's defence was very right and Davy Gresham and Ged Darby controlled the mid-field so that attacks were always coming to give the edge to Cornforth.

Crook Town drew 1-1 at home to Houghton Cricket Club. A converted penalty gave the visitors a 1-0 interval lead and after the restart Frank Robson levelled with a spot kick when Trevor Howarth was brought down.

Durham City Strollers came back to form, they won 3-0 at home to Houghton Swifts. They led 2-0 at the break and a further goal after the restart settled the issue. Scorers were Martin Maggiore, Steve Greenham and Steve Thompson. David Coulson had an outstanding game.

In the Premier Ferryhill Greyhound turned in a fighting performance to draw 3-3 away to Blackhall Hardwick. Three times they had to come from behind to level and with any luck they could have ended up winners. Lacking a keeper centre back Ian McQuade obliged and he turned in a sterling performance (even Davy Ward congratulated him) but the star of the match was without doubt Stan Cumming who was just unbelievable in all his moved. Scorers for the Greyhound were Geoff Marr, Martin McQuade who scored a brace. Ferryhill despite their recent set backs still look good in second spot. The leaders Steels SC drew 1-1 away to Owton Manor and look vulnerable. Dark horses Killingworth, who have a game in hand, showed they are a threat by winning 2-1 away to Holywell Fat Ox so that there are three possible championship contenders with several others who might prove awkward.

In Division One Consett Duke of Wellington are having a great season, they are clear leaders by five points and have won their last six games and look certain to gain promotion. They defeated promotion contenders Barnard Castle Glaxo 2-0 at home. They led 2-0 at the interval taking the lead after ten minutes courtesy of a William Thompson goal and then going 2-0 up close on half time when Robert Ramshaw scored. The restart saw the Castle fight back but ex-Crook keeper was in fine form and Consett defence was rock solid and the issue never looked in any doubt. Shaun Peacock shone in midfield.

Newton Aycliffe kept on target , they won 3-1 away to Sunderland Catholic Club. The hosts were the first to score. Frank Hopton finding the net with a 25-yard screamer. Aycliffe had a fine chance to level but Neil Morrison hit the bat with a spot kick. The restart saw the visitors on the attack and they drew level when Gerry Croft scored in a goalmouth melee. Then misfortune struck the home side when Neil Morrison corner went off a head for an own goal. The Catholic Club fought hard for the equaliser but keeper Paul Mather pulled off several great saves. Ten minutes from time Stuart Regan scored from a breakaway and settled the issued 3-1 for the visitors.

In Division Two Wynyard Veterans shattered Red House's unbeaten record by defeating them 2-0 at home and are now in second spot, a point behind them. It was a close hard fought game in which both sides missed chances. The Vets scored in each half and the game was always open. Alan Morning more or less secured victory when he scored to make it 2-0 but Red House were always dangerous and never gave up.

The star of the game was Timothy Stavers Oloman who was outstanding, he opened the scoring for Wynyard and worked tireless through the match in point of fact he was here, there and everywhere.

Langley Park Rams Head once again failed to deliver, they lost 2-1 at home to the Barnes Hotel. Full marks to the Barnes, they trailed 1-0 at the interval to an own goal but played the entire first half with only nine men. After the restart they went to ten as a missing player turned up and this welcome addition seemed to spur them on and they scored twice, a brace from Colin Rostron to win the game 2-1 for the gallant ten men. Incidentally the Rams Head were far from happy with the result.