Cleadon SC extended their lead at the top to five points, but lowly New Marske almost produced a shock.

The home side were favourites, but Trevor Williams reduced the Seasiders' arrears in the 80th minute, it was all to play for.

Despite exerting late pressure, New Marske failed to produce an equaliser and goals by Mark Johnson and Brian Tully proved sufficient.

Whitehaven's championship aspirations received a set back at Boldon CA who won 2-1.

Mark Williams gave them the lead on the hour and David Stephenson added a second goal before Jonathan Wilkes pulled a goal back for the Cumbrians with two minutes remaining.

Windscale are third following a 1-0 victory at Willington, Lee Dixon struck in the 88th minute.

Fourth-top Birtley Town and sixth-placed Teesside Athletic drew. Teesside were rewarded with a tremendous 30-yard strike by James Kesterton seven minutes before the break.

Birtley's equaliser came 15 minutes from time as Simon Welch deflected a cross into his own net.

Stokesley SC are up to fifth with a 3-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Coxhoe Athletic who scored first with a penalty by Philip Lawson.

Jonathan Newton restored parity and one of the best moves of the game resulted in Stephen Pennock giving Stokesley the advantage. They sealed the result with a clinically executed free kick by James Alsop.

Nissan SSC Sunderland and Gateshead Low Fell, both in the bottom five, figured in a goal-less draw but there were five goals at Cleator Moor Celtic, who defeated Jarrow 4-1.

Carl Fillingham, Craig Padley, Craig Scott and Zak Rudd netted for the Cumbrians with Dean Patton Jarrow's only scorer.

Despite scoring first through Lee Thompson, Wolviston went down 2-1 to Ryhope CW whose two goals came in the last 20 minutes from Chris Stanton and Alan Surtees.

Mark Oliver and Paul Burrell were on target for Harton and Westoe in a 2-2 draw at Annfield Plain.