Boldon CA played almost half an hour with just eight men yet still gained a 1-1 draw with Harton and Westoe on Wednesday night, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

In an incident-packed game, Stephen Williams was sent off just after the interval for a handling offence and Adam Smyth put the visitors ahead from the resultant penalty.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Boldon took the game to their opponents and equalised on the hour when Kevin Tron struck but almost immediately, substitute Paul Jary was ordered off and within a minute, his brother Stephen also received his marching orders.

Darlington RA produced a battling performance in drawing 2-2 with Wolviston who led at the break with goals from Matthew Pickover and Craig Perry. Steven Walker reduced the deficit and Graham Dodsworth clinched the equaliser.

Stokesley were four goals up at the halfway stage through Craig Johnson (2), Stephen Tait and James Alsop before Alan Robson hit a consolation goal for Ferryhill Athletic.

A last-minute goal from Clive Heaney earned Windscale a 4-3 win against their Cumbrian neighbours Whitehaven. Paul Barwise, with a brace of goals and Peter O'Donnell were Windscale's other marksmen with Anthony Wedgewood, Alex Roberts and Gareth Holmes finding the net for Whitehaven.

Birtley Town just had the edge on Stanley United winning 2-1 when Anthony Cosgrove scored twice. Richard Johnson was on the mark for Stanley.

Two penalties in the last four minutes brought the game between North Shields and Redcar Town to life. David Little put the Robins ahead on 86 minutes but two minutes later Simon Kasonali also fired home from the spot.

Greg Fullerton (2) and Shaun Hopper struck in Cleadon SC's 3-1 defeat of Annfield Plain and Jarrow won their first match with a 32nd minute goal by David Kilford at Ryhope CW.

Paul Bryson, who parted company as manager with Albany Northern League side Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, has signed as a player for Birtley Town, whose manager David Smith saw off at least one Northern League club for his signature