Durham City Reserves were held to a 2-2 draw by Shildon Railway who led after 20 minutes when a mix up in the penalty area left Neil Robinson with a simple tap in.

Michael Carling equalised for Durham after 30 minutes with a nice solo effort. He received the ball on the touchline, beat two defenders and neatly beat the keeper. After 60 minutes Stephen Jackson put Durham in the lead with a direct corner kick from the left, beating the keeper at the far post. From the restart Shildon pressed hard and were rewarded with the equaliser in 70 minutes, Stuart Blackett the scorer.

Whithill FC entertained Seaham Town Community FC with the return of last season's top league scorer "Michael Pitt" he played because Consett, the team he has started the season with had no match. He came back with a vengeance hitting four goals in the 20th,25th,44th and 75th minute, the last one a penalty. Other goals came from Darren Burnham scoring after receiving a nice cross from Stephen Roughly. Goal of the match was scored by Gary Robson when he chipped the ball over Seaham's keeper from 18 yards when he saw him off his goal line. James Fletcher completed the scoring in 85 minutes. Manager Tony Embleton will have been pleased to see his son "Graham" dominate the middle of the field for Whitehill in his first game in senior football.

Seaham Mallard were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Brandon Prince Bishop. Barry Cougle was first on the score sheet when he headed home the first for The Mallard in 10 minutes. Michael Fort equalised for Brandon in the 28th minute.

In 35 minutes Barry Cougle was brought down in the penalty area, Garron Morton The Mallard's keeper took the penalty to give his opponent no chance. Five minutes later Brandon were awarded a penalty when Michael Fort was brought down for David Dickinson to step up to make it 2-2.

Durham Victoria Bridge and Gateshead A shared the points in a 4-4 draw. A hat-trick for Nicky Barker and a penalty by Lee Pratt did the scoring for Durham Vic with Darrel Martin, Simon Trainer and a couple from Tony Clark scoring for Gateshead

Simonside Social Club outclassed Durham University 4-1. Two goals each from Ray Simpson and Michael Ord did the damage with a consolation goal for the University coming from David Forster.

A 2-0 win by Coxhoe over Belford House put them second top of the league. They were in front in five minutes with a looping header over the Belford's keeper by Brett Smithson. The second was a penalty by Gary O'Hara in the 80th minute.

P W D L F A Pts

Belford House FC 6 4 0 2 14 7 12

Gateshead A 6 3 3 0 17 11 12

Hartlepool Town 5 3 2 0 12 3 11

Brandon Prince Bishop 5 3 2 0 12 5 11

Coxhoe Athletic 4 3 0 1 20 1 9

Whitehill FC 5 3 0 2 17 9 9

Simonside SC 6 3 0 3 14 19 9

Shildon Railway FC 5 2 2 1 22 11 8

*Durham City Afc Res. 5 3 1 1 14 8 7

*Seaham Mallard 6 2 1 3 11 13 4

Birtley Town Res. 6 1 1 4 7 13 4

Durham Victoria Bridge 6 0 2 4 10 33 2

Durham University FC 3 0 1 2 9 15 1

Ebchester FC 4 0 1 3 2 21 1

*Seaham Town Comm. 6 0 2 4 5 17 2

* Table as of Wednesday, August 27

RESULTS - Saturday: Belford House F.C. 0 Coxhoe Athletic 2; Durham City Afc Res. 2 Shildon Railway FC 2; Durham University F.C. 1 Simonside SC 4; Durham Victoria Bridge 4 Gateshead A 4; Hartlepool Town 0 Birtley Town Res. 0; Seaham Mallard 2 Brandon Prince Bishop 2; Whitehill FC 7 Seaham Town Community FC 0.

Wednesday: Belford House FC 1 Seaham Town Community FC 0; Durham City Afc Res. 4 Seaham Mallard 1; Durham University F.C. 5 Durham Victoria Bridge 5; Gateshead A 4 Birtley Town Res. 0; Simonside SC 1 Hartlepool Town 6.