Birtley Town manager David Smith is always cautious when forecasting his side's future but he could not disguise his delight after seeing the team defeat Hartlepool United Reserves in the Durham Challenge Cup last weekend.

"To say I was on cloud nine is a gross under-estimation. I was over the moon at the way the lads performed and although Hartlepool fielded a young side, it was still a great result for us," enthused Smith.

Martin Scott, the former Sunderland fullback, was manager of the Pool side and Smith reckons he had his team playing good football throughout the 90 minutes.

"The youngsters showed good technique and passed the ball around well but in the end I think we were too experienced for them. It was a good result for us and has given the club a really great lift," Smith added.

Smith and his assistant Paul Foster arrived at Birtley Town just over a year ago and quickly turned around the club's fortunes. A long-winning sequence, though, failed to take Birtley to the top of the Wearside League but they did reach the three domestic cup finals, winning the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and the League Cup and only failing in the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup after a penalty shoot-out.

"We had a great season last time but that's history now. We have got to look forward to the future and my aim is for us to win the championship."

Currently, Birtley Town are just a point ahead of Boldon CA and Stokesley SC, but have two games in hand on their nearest rivals. Smith believes that up to half a dozen clubs could be in the frame come the turn of the year and he considers that New Marske, in particular, will be right there at the end.

"They have a strong side and are just three points adrift of us. We have

played the same number of games so at this stage of the season there is very little between us."

Birtley begin their League Cup programme next weekend but tomorrow Smith insists that his side should forget about the Hartlepool result and the cup ties which are coming up and go all out for three points at Redcar Town.

"The League is our bread and butter and from the chairman down, everybody wants to win the championship," said Smith.