Just a few weeks ago it was doom and gloom at Jarrow and secretary Sue Scott admits she could not see the side winning a game all season.

Then all of a sudden fortunes changed and in a dramatic transformation, the team has won six consecutive fixtures after failing to win one of their first 19 games.

"It's absolutely incredible. Chairman Jimmy Kane and I thought we would end without a victory but full credit to manager Mick Hutchinson and his assistant Ali Brown who have really turned the club around," enthused Sue who is the only female secretary in the League.

"Before our form improved, we had taken just two points out of a possible 57 but now it's 18 out of 18 following our 4-2 win over Stanley United on Wednesday night."

Dave Patton, David Newton, Mick Hutchinson and Andrew Bonner scored the goals with John Liddle twice on target for Stanley and from being no-hopers stranded at the bottom, Jarrow are now just one point behind Barnard Castle Glaxo, who are third from the basement.

The three-horse race for the championship continued when Stokesley SC, Wolviston and Birtley Town all won.

A hat-trick by Jonathan Smith was the feature of Stokesley 4-0 victory over Ferryhill Athletic. Richard Hore was their other scorer and the result enabled Stokesley to open up a three points lead over Boldon CA, who were without a game.

Wolviston, who have played the same number of fixtures as the leaders, are just a point behind after they squeezed three points out of Darlington RA with an 85th minute goal by Andy Steele, his 35th of the season.

Birtley Town also maintained their challenge visiting North Shields, whose hopes of finishing in the top two to qualify for entry into the Albany Northern League received another setback.

The Robins had an effort by Paul Hogg ruled out because of a foul before Andy Stokes hit the post and at the other end, Carl Pennington also struck the woodwork before Michael Pitt broke the deadlock on the hour.

North Shields pressed in search of an equaliser but when Paul Bryson made it 2-0 it was all over for the home side.

Birtley moved above North Shields into fourth position and with games in hand on both Stokesley SC and Wolviston, are serious contenders for the title.

In other games played on Wednesday, Harton and Westoe won an 11 goals thriller with Barnard Castle Glaxo by a 7-4 margin after the visitors had fought back to 5-4 after being 5-1 down at one stage.

David Hopper (3), John Simpson, Stephen Wilkinson, Johny Wightman and Phil Bell all found the net for the home team with John Williams (2), Philip McGuire and Ross Murray replying for Glaxo.

Annfield Plain drew 1-1 with New Marske. James Kesteron put the visitors ahead as early as the second minute and Andrew Smith levelled.

One game was played on Monday when Wolviston won 4-1 at Cleadon SC.