Three sides are equal on points at the top of the table with Stokesley SC ahead of North Shields and Birtley Town only on goals difference.

They were on cup duty enabling their rivals to make up ground on the Teessiders, who have been in a challenging position all season.

North Shields though have gradually crept up and victory over New Marske lifted them into their highest position so far.

There were few chances in the tense, top-of-the-table battle and New Marske were reduced to ten men just before the interval but even so took the game to their opponents during the second 45 minutes.

In the last minute, Ben Walker only just failed to get a touch to a cross and when play swiftly moved to the other end, captain David Little curled in a shot from outside the penalty area to earn his side three crucial points.

Birtley Town came from behind to defeat Jarrow. A defensive lapse allowed Andy Smith to round the goalkeeper and slot home before Birtley levelled just before the interval. Michael McKay maintained his recent scoring form with a drive from 18 yards.

Birtley claimed the winner midway through the second half. One of the best moves of the match ended with Craig McManus striking the ball into the top corner of the net.

Cleadon SC, who led the table for a number of weeks, are now fourth after being held to a draw by Ryhope CW at Jack Clark Park. Danny Nixon gave them the lead five minutes into the second period and there were only a couple of minutes remaining when Stephen Leadbitter claimed the equaliser.

Paul Freary, whose appearance was in doubt, celebrated with a double in Darlington RA's victory at Boldon CA for whom Michael Meek netted on 30 minutes.

Freary's first goal came on the stroke of half time and in the 80th minute he hit the winner.

Ferryhill Athletic looked home and dry when they led Washington Nissan UK 3-0 but the home side staged a remarkable come-back to win 4-3.

Graham Heron, Jonathan Hole and David Raine all struck for Ferryhill before Graham Best (2), Darren Bland and Phil Makel found the net in a pulsating 14-minute spell.

Wolviston moved into sixth with a 3-1 victory over Gateshead Reserves at Metcalf Park. They built on a second-minute lead as Andy Steele converted a cross from David Dowd and, despite being on the defensive, Gateshead broke and equalised through Ben Ryan in the 25th minute.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as Simon Colligan jinxed past several players before scoring a spectacular solo goal just before the interval.

Wolviston had several chances to increase their lead before Danny Brunskill crossed for Steele to make it safe with a header 10 minutes from the end.

Stokesley SC progressed in the North Riding County Cup, defeating Fishburn Park 5-4 on penalties. Jonathan Newton gave Stokesley a 25th-minute lead and Duncan Marsden replied for the Whitby side to take the tie into extra time.

Richard Hinton and Ross Murray scored for Barnard Castle Glaxo who suffered a 6-2 defeat at Belford House in the Durham County Trophy and Windscale reached the next stage of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup at Harton and Westoe.

Andrew McDonald and Peter O'Donnell struck for the Cumbrians in the first half but when Scott Tooley scored his second goal with 10 minutes left, it looked as if extra time might be necessary.

But in a frenetic finale, Mark Young made the score 4-2 and Shaun Simpson replied for Harton. There was even time for the home side to hit the post in stoppage time.