Cleadon SC strengthened their grip at the top of the table with victory at Teesside Athletic who started the day in third position.

With both sides eager to give little away, it was no surprise just one goal settled the result and it was Cleadon who celebrated to extend their lead to three points.

Mark Johnson was the hero in the 43rd minute when he pounced in the box before firing into the net.

Second-top Birtley Town were involved in another important fixture with Whitehaven which ended in a goal-less draw enabling the Cumbrians to move into third place. A draw was a fair result but only a fantastic save by the Whitehaven goalkeeper prevented Wayne Booth from claiming a winning goal.

Windscale are up to fourth following a 1-0 victory at Boldon CA and at the bottom, Ferryhill Athletic drew 1-1 with Annfield Plain. Alan Robson looked as if he might have scored the winner but with five minutes left on the clock substitute Aaron Robertson replied for the Plain.

Willington, hoping to make an immediate return to the Arngrove Northern League, went nap at Ryhope CW, who had goalkeeper Joe Thompson dismissed after just 15 minutes.

Alan Surtees, who normally operates as a striker, took over in goal but could not prevent Gary Mitchell (2), Danny Lee (2) and Craig Luke leading Willington to a 5-0 victory.

Wolviston secured a last-minute equaliser at Gateshead Low Fell where they were twice in arrears. Anthony Clark was a fourth-minute marksman for the Tynesiders and after Lee Thompson restored parity, John Sherlock again put Gateshead ahead four minutes into the second period. Thompson headed in his second goal in the last minute.

Coxhoe Athletic went down at Cleator Moor Celtic for whom Gareth Evans and Darren Mahon scored while Stokesley SC and Harton and Westoe figured in a 1-1 draw.

James Alsop converted a 73rd-minute penalty for the home team and Scott Tooley levelled ten minutes from the end.

The game at Perth Green between Jarrow and New Marske was postponed.