Durham City Ladies

Durham came from 3-1 behind to draw 3-3 against Wardley Eagles but this was a game they should have won, but an awful start to the game made things very difficult.

One wonder goal from Wardley and two speculative knocks in from outside the box had seen City 3-1 down after 25 minutes but Helen Richardson had got City's goal after some good work from Magda Carr.

In the second half Durham pinned back Wardley and slowly got back into the game. Clare Turner set Richardson clear with half an hour remaining and she beat the keeper from 20 yards.

With ten minutes to go Turner converted a penalty to level the scores. But despite all of the pressure at the end City could not find the winner, Charlotte Rimmer came closest, but her lobbed effort brushed the top of the crossbar.

* On Sunday Durham entertain Newcastle in the first round proper of the FA Cup and City will play the tie at Crook Town's ground, kicking-off at 2pm with admission free.

Chester-le-Street

Chester-le-Street returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win at Billingham.

They took the lead on 15 minutes when Laura Darmody, whose pace was a constant problem to the Billingham defence, raced on to an excellent through ball to fire home low to the keepers' right.

The Cestrians doubled their lead just before the break when Laura Darmody headed home a quickly taken corner kick.

Five minutes into the second half Billingham pulled one back, Natalie Huntingdon scoring from the spot following Leanne Clark's foul in the box. Ten minutes later Laura Darmody scored the goal of the game to complete her hat trick and finished the game with the fourth goal five minutes from time.

* Chester-le-Street take on Darwen in the first round proper of the Women's FA Cup at Moor Park, Chester Moor, (2pm) on Sunday. All are welcome.