Wearside League: Coxhoe Athletic maintained their steady rise up the table when they secured their fifth win of the season at the expense of Boldon CA.

It was a close call though and the only goal came with just ten minutes remaining. Stephen Clifford chased a through ball before lobbing goalkeeper Lee Jackson.

Despite ending the game with only nine men, Boldon were unlucky not to share the points. They had Jason Jones sent off for a straight red card while Michael Meek also departed after receiving two yellow cards.

Birtley remain two points ahead of their rivals with five games in hand after defeating Ryhope CW 2-0.

The visitors started the game boasting seven clean sheets during their previous ten games but Dave Smith's side quickly penetrated the defence as Andrew Innes opened the scoring.

Tony Coe made it two before the break and from then on Ryhope faced an uphill battle.

Although the Wearsiders played better during the second 45 minutes they rarely looked like getting back into the match and Birtley ended worthy winners to rack up their 13th win in 15 games. They remain the only unbeaten side.

Wolviston were in with a chance of taking at least a point from their game with Cleadon SC at Jack Clark Park until they leaked the second goal with just two minutes remaining.

Tony Fyall was a first-half marksman and when his header rebounded, he buried a left-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.

In the 88th minute substitute Danny Efford converted a good move involving David Crumbie, who won the ball in midfield and Julio Bell.

Whitehaven, whose game was one of five to be called off, have dropped down to third top just two points adrift of Cleadon having played four fewer fixtures.

Birtley though boast a four-points advantage and have a game in hand on the Cumbrians.

The games at Harton and Westoe, Hartlepool, Teesside Athletic, Whitehaven and Willington were postponed because grounds were waterlogged.