New Marske are equal on points at the top of the table with North Shields but after four games the Robins have a superior goals difference.

After taking the lead through James Kesterton, New Marske were pulled back to 1-1 visiting Darlington RA on Wednesday night when Rob Morley scored direct from a corner. Gary Bickerstaff though earned the Seasiders three important points with an effort from well outside the penalty area.

North Shields grabbed a late winner against Gateshead Reserves. Last year's leading scorer Eddie Miller put them in front and after Ben Cattenach levelled, Roy Gordon was on target with just two minutes remaining.

North Shields, who have now scored 16 goals in four matches, New Marske and Boldon are the only unbeaten sides.

Boldon are third after sharing the points in a 1-1 draw at Harton and Westoe.

There was an incredulous start when Boldon scored through Kevin Tron within a minute.

Ronnie Wightman, the Harton and Westoe secretary, said he had never seen such a quick goal and his side was stunned but hit back to claim a point with an 18-yard effort by Neil Archibald.

Stokesley SC visited Wolviston and returned with all three points courtesy of goals by Nathan Haslam and Dean Talukder while Ferryhill Athletic went down 2-0 at Annfield Plain where Matthew Gent and Craig Daglish (pen) were the marksmen.

Ferryhill had three players sent off and one Annfield Plain player was red-carded.

An only goal by Andrew Quinn earned Cleadon SC a narrow victory over Windscale in Cumbria while Washington Nissan UK picked up their first point in four attempts, drawing 2-2 with Jarrow.

Dean Patton fired home from outside the box before Thomas Donkin levelled for Nissan who then went into the lead through Stephen Bryan. Andrew Bonner though denied them a first win with a 78th-minute equaliser.

Much-changed Birtley Town drew 3-3 with Barnard Castle Glaxo. In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Carl Pennington, Michael Ford and Michael McKay netted for the home team with Ross Murray, Graham Kearton and Darren Harrison on the mark for Glaxo.

A first-half goal by Stephen Rochester was added to by Alan Surtees as Ryhope CW ended 2-1 in front of Whitehaven.

Tomorrow's fixtures

Annfield Plain v Gateshead Reserves, Barnard Castle Glaxo v Ryhope CW, Birtley Town v New Marske, Ferryhill Athletic v Cleadon SC, Jarrow v Washington Nissan UK, North Shields v Darlington RA, Stokesley SC v Windscale, Whitehaven v Harton and Westoe, Wolviston v Boldon CA.