Less than halfway through what, in championship terms, continues to be one of the most intriguing seasons for years, the possibility of relegation for the second time in ten years has become a serious threat to bottom club Bishop Auckland.

On a day when rain washed out key matches Bishops might have hoped theirs had been among them because as they plunged to an eighth defeat they added just a single point to their overall ten-match total, slipping 43 points below the safety zone.

The latest reverse was against table-topping Hartlepool who were happy to stretch their lead helped by four of their rivals being involved in matches cut short by the weather.

Pool bowled out the under performing Bishops for 76, their lowest so far, with skipper Phil Holdsworth (25) getting little support.

Marc Symington sent down eight overs of spin to grab five wickets for just eight runs while 16-year-old Jonno Mitchell (3-15) and Kasun Bodhisha (2-14) never allowed the pressure to ease.

Pool won by seven wickets within 27 overs and now lead the championship by 21 points, nine more than when the day began.

The teams that might have stayed closer in touch, Great Ayton and Richmondshire, were always likely to drop points as they were in opposition. Ayton were looking the likeliest to win, having scored 239-5 with 72 from Chris Batchelor and an unbeaten 70 from Steve Pennock, when a storm left the ground waterlogged and the match abandoned.

Darlington's hopes of extending their title bid with a fifth successive win were also thwarted by the weather. Their game at Stokesley was interrupted several times before being finally washed out with the home side on 125-3.

But hardly any play was lost only five miles away at Marton, where Guisborough were able to complete a welcome win by five wickets which took them fractionally above their beaten opponents in mid-table.

The Priory captain Martin Hood made 38, the top score, against his former club after Ryan Murray (4-57) and Enamul Haque (3-36) had bowled out their close rivals for 148.

Another important win came in another game close by which was untouched by the weather.

The victory came as a great relief for Middlesbrough at Normanby Hall and it brought them level with Northallerton and within reach of escaping from what has now become a second relegation danger spot.

Boro were set to score 208 to win for only the second time this season, and they did it thanks to a stand of 95 between Dan Hodgson (56 with eight fours) and Adil Ditta (50 with four boundaries).

Janaka Gunerathne hit 77 from 109 balls for Normanby with Talab Ramzan adding 40 out of 207-9.

Boro's skipper, James Lowe, returned his best ever bowling figures taking eight wickets in his 16 overs at a cost of 54 runs.

Boro needed 51 runs from the final 42 balls to achieve the timely success which has now put Northallerton in danger.

There was nothing more they could have done, however, about improving their points tally when Billingham Synthonia came visiting as the match was another which was ended prematurely by the rain.

The storm clouds arrived after Northallerton made 151-9 with professional Anwar Hafeez unbeaten on 77 and two overs left to bat.

Billingham's attacking trio of Martin Cull (3-38), Craig Symington (3-47) and Stuart Lobb (2-43) kept them in with a chance of winning.

Marske moved slightly further away from the danger zone with a winning draw at Barnard Castle where they performed especially well with the bat.

Chris Allinson (80) and Joe Wing (79) shared in a stand of 154 and their side ultimately reached an impressive 271-8.

Allinson hit six fours and five sixes in facing 74 balls while Wing, who gets better by the week, faced 115 balls and hit nine boundaries.

Simon Guy chipped in with 31 from 36 balls.

There were another three wickets for James Finch before Barney replied with a very respectable 205-6 thanks to Gary Pratt (69) and Duncan Coates (67 not out).