Stokesley SC did their championship aspirations the power of good when they defeated third-placed New Marske 5-2.

There was no indication of the second-half goals avalanche which was to follow when just one goal divided the teams at the halfway stage.

Jonathan Newton gave the leaders a slender advantage after the Seasiders had squandered some good chances.

Stokesley showed them the way to goal with four strikes from Newton, Stephen Pennock, Paul Aldridge and Jonathan Smith. Although Jason Hammond and Ian Johnson (pen) responded, New Marske failed to seriously threaten Stokesley's lead.

Birtley Town stay second following their 4-0 victory at home to Annfield Plain. The home side made a flying start with a goal by Paul Bryson on 65 seconds and it was two after 19 minutes when Michael Ford struck.

The Plain were desperately unlucky not to reduce their deficit - David Watson's shot was somehow kept out and when the ball rolled to Matthew Gent, he saw his effort hit a post before being cleared for a corner.

There was no way back for the visitors, though, when Gareth Davison rounded off a superb move in the 32nd minute. He collected a long diagonal pass, raced past defenders and rounded goalkeeper Paul Hedley before clinically finishing.

Birtley began the second period as they had started the first half, scoring inside two minutes when Davison was again on target.

Boldon CA, who made such an impressive start to the season, have lost their way in the last couple of months and they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in the league, when North Shields came out on top 3-1.

The home side had a player sent off before Dominic Riley broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time but depleted Boldon kept up the challenge and were rewarded with an equaliser from Graham Nesbitt ten minutes into the second period.

It was Riley who regained the advantage for the Robins and when Eddie Miller hammered home a third goal with 15 minutes remaining, ten-man Boldon faced mission impossible. Their task was made even more difficult in the closing minutes when they were reduced to nine players.

Cleadon SC maintained the improved form they have displayed in recent weeks winning a closely-contested match with Stanley United by the odd goal in three.

Brian Rees put Stanley in front on 20 minutes and it was not until the 75th minute that teenager Andrew Quinn levelled. Just as it appeared the game would end in a draw, Daniel Nixon grabbed the winner with three minutes left.

Ryhope CW returned from Windscale pointless after losing 3-1. Kevin Law struck for the Cumbrians and Ryan McKenna for the Wearsiders in the opening period but when Law and Joe Shepherd netted after the break, Ryhope failed to get back into the game.