Former Darlington striker John Campbell failed to score on his debut for Bedlington after Crook gave them a big scare in the Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup last night.

The second division club stunned Bedlington by taking a two goal lead in the first twelve minutes through Kyle Davis and ex Bedlington player Richard Hodgson. Steven Baptist quickly pulled a goal back, but Crook held on until the 57th minute when Stephen Richardson scored with a powerful shot, and then Peter Snowdon put the visitors in front on the hour. Stuart Elliott volleyed a good fourth to make the game safe for Bedlington in the closing minutes. Crook joint manager Paul Adamson said: "We played really well and led 2-1 at half time, but in the second half Bedlington showed their extra quality and fitness. I'm really pleased with the effort the lads put in."

In the other league cup games, Esh Winning and Team Northumbria had a high scoring game at Waterhouses, with TN coming out on top by 8-5. The scores were 5-5 after 90 minutes, but Tn took over in extra time, and Lee Scott and Peter Watling both took their personal tallies to four apiece. Esh Winning manager Andrew Soppitt said: "We played well going forward, but we can't defend set plays and we gave soft goals away. We ran out of steam in extra time." TN director of football Paul Johnson said: "What a game, we came from behind five times. To then go on and score eight means that we can then forgive some of the daft mistakes that gave Esh their goals. We have had a little slump lately and last night's game was just what we needed to perk us up and just remind us how many goals we can score to win games. We seem to be back on track again."

Spennymoor just squeezed past Morpeth by 2-1. Gavin Cogdon put them in front midway through the first half, and Gavin Barton added a second from the spot, but Morpeth pulled a goal back through Shaun Henderson and caused some anxious moments. Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley said: "We were 2-0 up with 20 minutes left and cruising, and then suddenly we got very sloppy. In cup games, it's the result that matters, but credit to Morpeth they scored, hit the bar and deserved to go into extra time."

Darlington RA took North Shields to penalties after a 2-2 draw, but they lost the shootout 4-3. Andy Hay put Shields ahead, but the RA hit back with goals by Paul Freary and Graham Whitehead before Craig Deighton scored. Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison said: "We've turned a corner now. We didn't play at our absolute best but comepeted right through and looked the fitter side. We could have done without extra time though, because we're playing two games per week." North Shields manager Anthony Woodhouse said: "It was a tough game and very even. I thought we edged the game in the first ninety, and the RA edged it in extra time."

Guisborough took a 20th minute lead through skipper David Onions against Birtley, and then Liam McPhillips added a second before half time. McPhillips was also on target in the second half in the 3-0 win. Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: "I thought that we were by no means outstanding, but we controlled the game from start to finish and on another night it could have been six." Birtley manager Scott Oliver, who played for the last 30 minutes of the game, said: "We were down to the bones, and we have no complaints."

The game between Washington and Shildon was held up for 25 minutes following an injury to Washington’s Michael Rush. Shildon had to work hard to win the game, Wayne Gredziak scoring the only goal. Shildon manager Gary Forrest said: "I'm pleased that we went through. It wasn't the best of games and we found it hard to get going. After the long stoppage for the injury to one of their lads, the game never really got going again. I hope their lad is ok."

Stokesley won their first game of any sort this season when they beat Northallerton 4-2 on penalties in the North Riding Senior Cup after the sides drew 2-2 in normal time. Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: "Poor peformance from us. Too many thought all they had to do was turn up to win the game. Having said that to lose on penalties for the third time in a row in this competition is frustrating."

Hebburn added to their fixture congestion by winning 3-1 at Easington in the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup. Easington manager Mark Proudlock said: "It was a good performance, and we played some good football. It was a massive improvement for us to build on." Hebburn boss Paul Bennett said: "I made changes to rotate the squad, as players have played a lot and we have a lot of games coming up. Weren't let down, and we're happy to progress."

Durham City are out of the FA Trophy after going down 3-1 at FC United of Manchester in their second qualifying round replay. FCUM took a half time lead, which Amar Purewal cancelled out early in the second half. However, the home side scored twice in extra time.

Wednesday FA Trophy second qualifying round replay FC United of Manchester 3 Durham City 1 (Purewal) (aet) Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup second round Crook 2 (Davis, Hodgson), Bedlington 4 (Baptist, Snowdon, Richardson, Elliott), Esh Winning 5 (Kokes 2, Mickle, Coates) Team Northumbria 8 (Scott 4, Watling 4), Guisborough 3 (McPhillips 2, Onions) Birtley 0, Morpeth 1 (Henderson) Spennymoor 2 (Cogdon, Barton), Newcastle Benfield 3 (Teasdale, McAvoy, Dodsworth) Ryton 0, North Shields 2 (Hay pen, Deighton ) Darlington RA 2 (Freary, Whitehead) North Shields won 4-3 on penalties, Washington 0 Shildon 1 (Gredziak).

Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.

Easington 1 (Ord) Hebburn 3 (Walker, D Nicholson, Stephenson).

North Riding Senior Cup.

Northallerton 2 (Bulmer, Mitchell) Stokesley 2 (Porritt, Dixon) Stokesley won 4-2 on penalties.