It is difficult enough playing Birtley Town with a full side but when Wolviston were reduced to ten men after only 35 minutes, they faced mission impossible in the quarter final of the Durham Challenge Cup.

Until then they more than held their own after taking the lead after just eight minutes but eventually Birtley's numerical advantage was exploited and four goals in the second period earned them a semi-final place against either Dunston Fed, Billingham Synthonia or Horden CW.

Wolviston had made the best possible start when Andy Steele sent over a long cross from the right wing which eluded keeper Steve Harrison before rebounding from the inside of the far post into the net.

Steele was then booked before disaster struck Wolviston when the referee, following a long conversation with his assistant, ordered off Paul Edwards.

Paul Terrell levelled within a couple of minutes of the resumption and Bob Cooper made it 2-1 on 62 minutes. From this point there was no way back for Wolviston who conceded a third goal in the 76th minute to Terrell before substitute Colin Nesbitt sent Birtley into raptures with just a couple of minutes remaining.

Last week, Redcar Town upset the form book defeating table-topping North Shields and they produced another giant-killing act by seeing off second-from-top Stokesley SC in the North Riding County Cup.

The visitors built on a first half goal from Lee Barnaway and despite being under considerable pressure during the second period, held on for another memorable victory as Billy Millington struck the second goal.

In the league, North Shields again lost ground when they went down 2-1 to Whitehaven. Jonathan Wright and Craig Robson put the visitors two up inside 20 minutes and there were only a few minutes remaining when Eddie Miller reduced the deficit.

New Marske made up ground and moved into fourth place with a decisive 5-1 win at home to Stanley United who ended with only nine men after two were sent off.

The first blow to the visitors came inside the first ten minutes and the second player was ordered off on the half hour by which time the home side led 1-0.

It was therefore not surprising that the goals flowed for the Seasiders and by the interval they were 3-0 ahead as Ian Mudd, Adam Taylor and debutant Conrad McCormick hit the target.

Although Aaron Scott responded for Stanley, New Marske went nap as Taylor completed his hat-trick with two goals in the last ten minutes.

Darlington RA are now fifth following their 2-0 victory at Harton and Westoe.

Stephen Johnson's second-minute goal was the perfect incentive but there were only five minutes left when he again found the net.

Barnard Castle Glaxo had an impressive victory at Windscale where they were three goals to the good before the home side netted through Lee Dixon. Richard Hinton, Ross Murray and Barry Raper were the Glaxo marksmen.

Michael Hutchinson, Chris Soulsby and Philip Raisbeck eased Annfield Plain to a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Ferryhill Athletic.

Despite scoring first through Paul Jary, Jarrow are still without a win. Boldon CA regained winning form after a long losing sequence with strikes by Craig Rolfe and Stuart Patterson.

Andrew Quinn looked to have earned Cleadon SC the points but a last-gasp goal from Daniel Knight enabled Ryhope CW to clinch a 1-1 draw.