Wolviston returned to the top of the table when they defeated Boldon CA and previous leaders Birtley Town suffered defeat at Harton and Westoe in the mid-week programme.

Wolviston and Boldon CA went into their match on equal points and it was the Teessiders who came out on top by a 3-1 margin. Simon Felstead put them ahead after just four minutes but eight minutes later Craig Rolfe equalised.

Leading scorer Andy Steele restored the advantage to Wolviston and when he was again on target after 85 minutes, the result was just about settled.

Birtley Town lost for the second time when hey visited Harton and Westoe who had won just one of their first six games. David Hopper, who has been a regular scorer in the league in recent years, struck a second-half hat-trick after Paul Bryson had given Birtley an interval advantage.

Reigning champions North Shields have now lost four of their first eight games after losing 2-1 at Darlington RA for whom Gary Williamson bagged a brace of goals. Gary Gibson pulled a goal back for the Robins in the last minute.

Annfield Plain maintained their promising start with a 2-1 home victory over Cleadon SC for whom David Watson found the net. Kelvin Armstrong, with a brace, was Annfield Plain's matchwinner.

Jonathan Newton was another player to score twice in Stokesley SC's 3-1 victory at Ferryhill Athletic. Michael Wilson also hit the target and Alan Robson converted a penalty for Ferryhill.

Bottom-of-the-table Jarrow are the only side yet to record a win and they slumed to a 7-0 reverse against New Marske for whom Ben Walker (2), Alec Anderson, Adam Taylor, Richard Booth, Craig Mendham and Simon Welch all struck.

There were eight goals when Stanley United and Redcar Town shared the points.

After leading 2-0, Stanley were 4-2 down before finishing 4-4 in a game of fluctuating fortunes. Gary Piper and Jonathan Kirk each scored twice for the Seasiders with Shaun Gregory, Alan Humble, Sean Mansfield and David Craig replying.

Barnard Castle Glaxo made the long trip to Whitehaven worthwhile when they won 4-1 after going a goal down to Stephen Stoddart. Stuart Murray (2), Ian Spence and Stuart Meney earned Glaxo their second win in eight attempts.

Just one goal by Lee Dixon was sufficient for Windscale at Ryhope CW.