Birtley returned to the Northern League after a 116 year absence with a shock 2-1 win at Marske on Saturday.

One of the founder members of the league way in 1889, they won the Wearside League last season, and manager Dave Smith admitted that their day was a "dream".

"To win at Marske, who are one of the favourites for promotion, is fantastic. The players were superb, and I thought we deserved to win on the chances we created. But now the players have to maintain the same standard."

Marske took the lead early on through Dave Onions, but Birtley quickly levelled when fullback Linton Smith picked up a flick from John Shergold and beat the Marske keeper. Birtley got the winner when Barry Smith won the ball on the edge of the Marske box and stabbed it home.

However, the game nearly didn't take place because of the non appearance of the scheduled match referee, so the senior linesman took over and a spectator ran the line.

Another Second Division side, Norton, gave former Middlesbrough defender Dean Gordon his debut, and he set up one of the goals in the 3-0 win at Crook, for whom he played last season.

Gordon, who was at Torquay last season, set up the first goal for Graeme Baverstock after 46 minutes, then Richie Gaston scored his first goal for two years. Jon Dowden finished the scoring with a penalty.

Consett were the day's first division's highest scorers with an easy 7-0 thrashing of Ashington. Steve Johnson put them in front just before half-time from a rebound, and after the break Consett's Mattie Moffat missed a penalty. Johnson volleyed Consett into a 2-0 lead, then completed his hat-trick with a header from a Jonjo Dickman free-kick. Moffat added a fourth, and successfully converted a penalty. Kraig Wilkinson got another from close range, before Moffat finished the scoring with another solo goal.

Spennymoor striker Adam Johnston scored in the dying seconds to beat Seaham Red Star 2-1 at the Brewery Field. Seaham missed a good chance early on, but Second Division champions Moors took the lead through Richie Storr from eight yards.

Seaham equalised with just five minutes left through John Toft, but in the last minute, Storr set up Johnston to blast home.

There were three penalties in Durham City's 2-1 home win over Bishop Auckland.

Andy Bowes put City into the lead with a header from a corner, and they went 2-0 up through a Jamie Clarke penalty.

Bishops were then awarded a penalty themselves which Scott Richards converted, and with ten minutes left Clarke missed a chance to make the game safe when he missed with another spot kick.

Shildon, who are hoping to do well this season, lost 1-0 to Dunston at Dean Street. After he hit the bar in the opening minutes, Steve Preen got the winner for Dunston after just five minutes, when he pounced on a mistake in the Shildon defence. Shildon defender John Hutton hit the bar at the start of the second half, and in the dying seconds Adam Emson missed from a few yards.

West Auckland got off to a bad start losing 4-1 at Newcastle Benfield.

Benfield striker Micky Chilton scored a first half hat-trick. He scored from close range in the opening minutes, and broke away for the second soon after. He finished off a good move to complete his hat-trick, and after Ian Graham scored a fourth, West debutant Danny Robinson pulled a goal back.

West have persuaded keeper Mark Bell to return to the club following a short spell in pre-season at Gateshead.

Bobby Scaife, Billingham Synthonia's new boss, saw his team win 2-0 against West Allotment at Central Avenue. Synners' keeper John Jackson pulled off a couple of good saves before Synners took the lead on 58 minutes when Shaun Hope headed in from Neil Radigan's corner. Allotment almost equalised, but Colin Iley made sure when he scored from close range with four minutes remaining.

Chester-le-Street came from behind to beat Morpeth 2-1 at Chester Moor.

Morpeth took the lead after 17 minutes when Adam Scope ran through a static defence and fired in. But Chester equalised three minutes later when David Fairless scored.

Chester got the winner on 75 minutes when Andy Cuthbertson netted.

The game between the two new managers, Andy Toman of Northallerton and Micky Vasey of Tow Law, ended in a 3-1 win for the visitors.

Lawyers took a second minute lead through Peter Watling to score, but Northallerton levelled with a 25 yard free-kick by Luke Bythway.

Lawyers regained the lead on 70 minutes with a header by Stephen Tobin from a corner, but then sub Richie Langthorne was red-carded following a challenge. However, they still scored a third with a header by the returning Scott Thompson after the keeper had saved from Watling.

League champions Whitley Bay won 2-1 at promoted Washington.

Former Darlington striker Mark Sheeran gave Whitley the lead from the spot, then David Coulson scored the second from a corner. Washington hit the woodwork twice, and pulled a goal back late in the game through Martin Houlahan.

Both sides had a man sent off following an off the ball incident, Ross Preston of Washington and Phil Bell of Whitley.

Bedlington drew 1-1 with Jarrow Roofing at Welfare Park. New signing Lee Hamilton put Bedlington into the lead after a mistake in the Roofing defence, but Andrew Johnson equalised for Roofing when he cut in from the right, beat two defenders and fired into the top corner.

Sunderland Nissan beat Billingham Town 2-0. Gary Pearson put Nissan in front with a free kick on 27 minutes, and Chris Scott got the second from a few yards before half-time.

Relegated Darlington RA put last season's problems behind them with a 3-0 win at Prudhoe.

Chris Creamer opened the scoring for the RA when he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home, and they went 2-0 up when Carl Pepper intercepted a back pass and crossed for fellow new signing Neil Tarrant to head in. The former Darlington and Aston Villa player then scored a skilful winner, when he chipped the keeper from 25 yards.

Brandon, who had problems off the field during the summer, had plenty of them on the field when they were hammered 8-1 at home by Guisborough, whose goals were all scored by players who were at Northallerton last season. Carl Chillingsworth (4), Craig Skelton (3) and Steve Cochrane with a penalty were Guisborough's scorers. It was only 2-0 at half time, but then the floodgates opened.

New signing Roy Allen scored both of Horden's goals in their 2-1 win over Sunderland RCA at Welfare Park. Horden scored just before half-time through Allen, and he scored the second after Nicky Martin's header was saved. Horden defender Mark Stephenson put through his own goal for an RCA consolation.

Thornaby twice came from behind to beat Esh Winning 3-2 at Teesdale Park. Esh took the lead through Dean Hustler, but Chris Crellin equalised. Ian Ward restored Esh's lead, but Thornaby levelled through a Leon Carling penalty. After Esh had a goal disallowed for offside, John Ryan headed a last minute winner.

Hebburn and Team Northumbria drew 2-2.

Hebburn went 2-0 up with goals by Gary McCartney and Tony Hanson, but TN levelled with goals by John Redhead and Paul Antony.

Stokesley's hopes of a first day win were hit by a 2-0 home defeat by Penrith, with Ryan Errington scoring both goals.

South Shields scored all their goals in the first half in a 3-0 victory over Whickham. Shields took the lead through Dean Patton, who then got a second through David Graham. Marc Brocklehurst scored the third.

Ryton striker Andy Bulford, who scored 34 league goals last season, opened his account for the new season with a goal in the 2-0 home win over North Shields, Chris Ogboke scoring the other.