Not only did they win a tricky-looking Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl tie against Whitley Bay A to advance into the semi-finals of the competition, but their closest rivals couldn’t pick up the points to knock them off top spot.

Ben Telford hit the opener after 15 minutes and Lee Johnson added number two in the 38^th of a first half display that the Seahorses couldn’t deal with.

But the biggest cheer of the day came in the clubhouse afterwards when the news that second-placed Carlisle City had been held by Walker Central came through.

Steve Hurd shot Central ahead when he took advantage of a poor clearance, but the Sky Blues took just three minutes to hit back as Stuart Kilgour headed home a Tom Lucock free kick.

City were just the width of the woodwork from going into pole position though, as unlucky Luckock hit the crossbar on two separate occasions.

It had looked as if their Cumbrian neighbours Harraby CC were about to go top as they led 3-1 at half time at Seaton Delaval – but a rollicking from Mick Jeffels and Tom Wade did the trick as the Red Devils staged a storming second-half comeback.

Mike Read scored in the opening second when he latched onto a poor backpass and added the second for the Cumbrians on the half hour.

Danny McGuire tapped into an empty net to pull one back, but Darren Addison added a third straight from the restart.

Matthew Wade led the fightback with a free-kick, then Selsos Anjos tapped in a disputed leveller with the visitors defence stood arms raised claiming offside.

There was no disputing Reece Cairns’ winner, though, as he let fly with a bullet 30-yard strike into the top corner.

Ashington Colliers moved up to fourth as Jamie Patterson netted a last-gasp winner at Stocksfield. Chris Fairley had cancelled out David Brown’s opener, but the Griffins were undone in the dying seconds.

And deadly Sean Sweeney rattled in a hat-trick for Hebburn Reyrolle for the second week running in a 4-1 success at Gateshead Rutherford.

Channon North put Reyrolle ahead and Sweeney added the second soon after. It was a different story after the break as Graeme Trouten pulled one back to give them a scare, but Sweeney struck twice more on the break to seal it.

It finished goalless between Killingworth Sporting and Percy Main in a game battered by the wind and the bottom two both ended winless runs going back ten games to record hard-fought victories.

Andy Upperton and Anthony Besford scored first half goals for Murton in their 2-0 success over Blyth Town and Gavin Wood struck from the penalty spot to put Ponteland United ahead at Shankhouse.

Goals in quick succession from Matty Robinson and Billy Holden mid-way through the second half completed a fine result.

Lee Garwood rattled in a hat-trick as Wallsend Town kept up the pressure on Amble United at the top of Division One with a 4-0 success at Heddon. Chris Garwood got the other.

But it was Cullercoats who went goal crazy with a 9-1 demolition of Cramlington Town. Sean Smith and Graham Allen both grabbed doubles and Chris Anderson, Steven Hart, Gareth Armstrong, Dominic Gillespie and Jamie heaton completed the rout. Chris Johnson’s reply was scant consolation.

Matty Atkin was another hat-trick hero for Gosforth Bohemians in their 3-1 win at Forest Hall. Josh Gow replied for the basement side.

Hexham moved up into second spot in Division Two as goals from Thomas North and Mark Gibson gave them the three points at Willington Quay Saints, who had Gareth Pugh on target.

Dylan Williamson gave Bedlington Terriers reserves the lead against Harton & Westoe and Robbie Eastway added a second from the penalty spot to clinch it and Matty Donkin’s double helped North Shields Athletic to a 3-1 win at Swalwell.

Matty Farrage got the other and Joe Johnson fired in for the Swifts.

David Gabbidus also scored twice in Wideopen’s 3-1 victory at New Fordley. Leigh Shickle added another to his personal tally while Ryan Carr banged in at the other end.

Whickham Lang Jacks hit bottom club Cramlington United for six. Jack Moulden and John Dewhurst led the way with a couple each and strikes from Graham King and Steven Spoors rounded things off.

Jordan Nellis had his eye on the matchball after hitting a treble in a 4-1 over Seaton Burn that put Wallington into the Northumberland FA Minor Cup semi finals.

Ben Fenwick got the other and Mark Nixon was on target for the second Division side.

Newcastle Chemfica Independent joined them in the last four as they beat Alnwick Town Reserves 5-2 after extra time.

Steve McLaughlin (2), Dean Cattermole, Derek Murphy-Collins and Craig Robinson were the Chemfica scorers with Nat Price and Brad McClelland netting for the black and whites.

In the only League game to beat the big freeze, the Cumbrians made a dream start against Ashington Colliers when Combe fired them ahead after just five minutes.

Matthew Read whipped in a low centre from a short corner and Combe made no mistake in lashing it in powerfully from six yards.

Anderton added the second when he played the ball out wide for Read and then got on the end of his cross and crashed a volley into the roof of the net.

The Colliers pulled one back just before the hour when David Brown was sent tumbling in the box and Shaun Gibson drilled in from the spot.

But Harraby secured the points with six minutes to go as Dan Balmer ghosted past two men down the right a fired over a low centre that Dean Armstrong tucked away.

Durham FA Trophy holders Hebburn Reyrolle booked a spot in the final as Sean Sweeney banged in a second-half hat-trick against Brandon British Legion.

The Legion, who Reyrolle beat to lift the silverware last season, went ahead from the penalty spot but Adam Bell levelled. However, they went behind again just before half time.

A storming second half performance on a 3G all-weather pitch saw Sweeney bang in his treble while Gary Taylor and Channon North grabbed the others.

Kilingworth Sporting sent Northern League Alnwick Town crashing out of the Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl.

Paul Baird fired in and an own goal proved the winner while Amble United also went through with a 4-2 success over Premier Division Blyth Town.

The Seasiders, who top Division One, were 3-0 up at the break through Sean Taylor, Adam Shanks and Brad Wake. Danny Beresford pulled one back, but Shanks added his second. Beresford added a second of his own late on for Town.

Stocksfield went out 3-0 at Prudhoe Town.

Willington Quay Saints pulled of another surprise in the NFA Minor Cup.

The Second Division outfit booked a spot in the semi finals with a 4-2 penalty victory over First Division Heddon.

Liam Taylor hit a double and Ryan Ferrier got the other as it ended 3-3 after extra time. Heddon’s hit-men were Kevin Urwin, Michael Welford and Perry Veitch.

Craig Hopwood fired in a late penalty as Blyth Town halted a run of defeats.

But Town were made to work for the win by battling basement side Murton, who went ahead through Anthony Dobell in the 12^th minute.

Daniel Beresford levelled things up before the break and Carl Hetherington turned the game around with a second in the 55^th minute.

Just four minutes later Dobell added his double to restore parity.

Blyth, who saw another youngster that has progress through the ranks, Gavin Agnew,  come off the bench and put in a good performance won it when Graeme Heath was sent tumbling in the box in the 82^nd minute and Hopwood dispatched from 12 yards.

Percy Main and Rutherford have been looking over their shoulders and shared a point that edges them further away from the danger zone.

Kyle Houshby helped on a Tony Abladey cross and Kevin Westphal pounced to fire the Villagers ahead but Andy Reay smashed in a Graham Trouten cross at the back post to level.

Hebburn Reyrolle left it late to see off Harraby CC, with Ray Oshin netting a hat-trick.

Oshin poked in from 8 yards to put Reyrolle ahead but they were pegged back when Dean Armstrong chipped in the leveller from the angle of the box.

Matty Bell slotted home to put the Cumbrians ahead and there were just five minutes remaining when Lady Luck deserted them.

A defender got the last touch on a scramble in the box and although the ball was hooked clear, the assistant indicated that it had crossed the line.

Oshin claimed the matchball with two more in the 89^th and 90^th minutes.

Ashington Colliers hot-shot David Brown also hit a treble as they beat Heddon 5-1 to go into the semi final of the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup.

Brown opened things up and although Kevin Urwin levelled, the second half belonged to Ashington.

Brown added two more and he was joined on the scoresheet by Wyn Fremlin and Andrew Carr.

They will face Wallington for a shot at the silverware after the First Division side dumped out Stocksfield.

Dan Thompson hit a double with Jordan Nellis getting the other in a surprise extra time victory. Eddie Brazier was on target for the Griffins.

Lee Garwood slotted a last-gasp winner for Wallsend Town as they kept their promotion push on track at Cramlington Town.

Derek Thompson’s opener for Wallsend was cancelled out by Kevin Long, but Craig Burke soon netted to regain the Wallsend advantage.

James Heathcote equalised right on half time and the game was in its final minute when Garwood grabbed the glory.

Morpeth SC’s Michael Starkey cancelled out an opener from Newcastle Uni’s Rishi Dhand and it also finished all square at Newcastle Chemfica, who had Craig Robinson hit the net while Steven Hart scored for Cullercoats.

Forest Hall picked up a good point at Bohemians, with Matthew Smith and Dan Sherliker the marksmen while Matty Atkin and Dan Child struck in reply.

Leaders Red House Farm’s Michael Armstrong struck twice as they cruised to a 4-2 win at New Fordley.

Lee Brady and Stephen Buzzeo got the others and Louis Boddy hit a double in reply.

Wallsend Boys Club went down to a surprise 3-2 defeat at home to Swalwell. Goals from Andrew Robertson and Steve McCabe weren’t enough as Mick Bell, Adam MacVickers and Chris Smith all netted for the Swifts.

Harton & Westoe were also dealt a blow as John Dewhurst struck twice for visitors Whickham Lang Jacks. Ben Howell got the other with Owen Peterson notching a consolation.

Goals from Gareth Hayton and Andy Hall gave Alston a good win on the road at Willington Quay Saints and ten-man Wideopen took a point off Seaton Burn.

Leigh Shickle gave them an early lead that was cancelled out by David Hewitt, but Andrew Shaw restored the advantage. Chris Baker grabbed the second leveller.

Harraby CC closed the gap at the top to five points with a 3-1 win at Stocksfield.

The Cumbrians have a game in hand on the top two of Heaton Stannington and Carlisle City, who met in a dramatic Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup semi final that was decided deep into stoppage time.

Alan Casey put Harraby ahead on a windswept pitch in the 33^rd minute, latching onto a loose ball and jinking past a defender before dinking over the advancing keeper.

Matthew Read doubled the advantage when he thumped a 25-yard free kick into the roof of the net a minute before the break.

Harraby could afford the luxury of Mike Swift blazing a penalty wide before Peter Ferris raced onto a through ball and slid in number three.

Rob Grainey grabbed a consolation in the final minute with a cross-shot that dipped in under the bar.

Gary McGarrigal was the Heaton Stannington hero as he looped in a header five minutes into stoppage time in the tie with Carlisle City.

Ian Grainger had twice put the Cumbrians ahead with a Ben Telford equaliser sandwiched in between.

But an own goal put Heaton back on level terms and in the 70^th mniute City were reduced to ten men for a professional foul and McGarrigal broke their hearts deep into stoppage time.

Killingworth Sporting were held to a goalless draw by Hebburn Reyrolle, while Ashington Colliers went ahead against Blyth Town in the 10^th minute through Simon Cunningham.

Ashley Smyth doubled the advantage with five minutes to go and Jeff Fuller notched a consolation in the last minute.

Craig Johnson went through and tucked past the keeper to give Seaton Delaval the lead at Shankhouse but Mark Crennell got on the end of a cross to level things up soon after.

It’s heating up at the bottom of the table and Walker Central were the days big winners as Alex Clafton headed in the only goal against Whitley Bay A from a goalmouth scramble in the 78^th minute.

Rutherford were also celebrating as they beat Ponteland United in a six-pointer at Callerton Lane.

Shaun Todhunter fired them ahead from the spot and Ross Taylor added a second. Chris Flynn pulled one back but Taylor added his second just two minutes later.

And Murton went down at Percy Main. They trailed to Kyle Houshby’s 17^th minute opener but Paul Wintripp drilled in the leveller at the back post. Ben Gardner’s individual effort won it for the Villagers.

Darren Riddell’s extra time winner earned Amble United a spot in the final of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup.

Ed Savitt struck twice for Newcastle Uni with Lee Harker and Sean Taylor notching for the Seadiders before Riddell produced the goods.

They will meet Wallsend Town, who won a seven-goal thriller at Gosforth Bohemians. Craig Burke netted twice with Chris Garwood and an unfortunate own goal doing the damage. Matty Atkin hit a double and Iain Harris got the other in reply.

Forest Hall are rooted to the foot of Division One after going down 4-2 at Cullercoats. Graham Allan, Rob Watson, Sean Smith and Gareth Armstrong were on target for the Seasiders, with Ben Gibson and Josh Gow replying.

Wallington advanced into the quarter finals of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup as a well-worked team goal was tucked away by Jordan Nellis to see off Morpeth Sports.

Bedlington Terriers Reserves will mark their return to the Alliance with a Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final appearance as Scott Westaway grabbed the only goal of the game at Whickham Lang Jacks.

They will face Willington Quay Saints, who continue to show a huge improvement and had Liam Taylor and Glen Johnson fire home as they dumped out Harton & Westoe. David Bulman scored for the South Shields side, whose day got worse when they were knocked out of the top two in Division Two by Wallsend Boys Club.

Dylan Adamson slammed in a hat-trick and Andy Robertson got two as they won 7-3 at Cramlington United. Adam Gibson and Steven McCabe got the others while Max Craggs hit two and Kyle Leadbitter the other in a game that United twice led.

Ali Stobbs was another hat-trick hero as he hit three for Hexham in a 6-2 win at Alnwick Town Reserves.

Paul McLean added a double and Scott Robson the other while Neil McFall and Nat Price netted for Alnwick.

Lee Waugh got two and Andrew Dalton the other for New Fordley at Seaton Burn. David Hewitt and Andrew Bennett were on target for the home side, with match-day signing Boughen grabbing a share of the points in the 94^th minute.

Wideopen hit five at Swalwell with Leigh Shickle, Will Nutman, Andy Shaw, Andy Bruce and Chris Holt all getting on the scoresheet and Joe Johnson netting the consolation while North Shields Athletic also thumped in five at Alston.

John Wyers grabbed a couple with Craig Boyle, Gary Farrage and Ben Pollock all stretching the net. Adam Walton fired home for the shell-shocked Cumbrians.
Leaders Red House Farm  continued their impressive run and had had Shaun Forster and Chris Davison on target as they beat Northbank 2-1. Cameron Wilson struck the reply.

The Cumbrians looked rusty after going a month without a game with passes going astray and not much coming off, but went ahead in the 39^th minute as Peter Ferris struck.

Murton were dealt a blow when their keeper was injured and couldn’t continue and 17-year-old Matthew Billyard, who scored at the other end last weekend, pulled on the gloves.

There was little he could do as Balmer raced onto a long ball and fired past him for the second and he was beaten again soon after when Dean Armstrong was quickly onto a weak back-header to prod home.

Balmer again went clear and drew the young stopper before slotting number four and he completed his treble in the 86^th minute.

Anthony Besford netted a consolation in the final minute with a fine 20-yard chip.

Walker Central moved five points clear of the drop zone as Alex Clafton hit the winner at Blyth Town.

Paul Collinson shot central ahead but Danny Beresford levelled soon after. Two quick-fire goals after the break by Fabian Pritchard and Besford put Central in control and although Kyle Devlin pulled one back, they held on for the points.

Amble United were made to sweat for the points by a hard-working Gosforth Bohemians and had defender Richard Brown to thank for a stunning 25-yard drive that flashed into the net in the final minute for the winner that takes them ten points clear at the top of Division One.

Steve McLaughin netted twice for Chemfica and Derek Murphy got the other in a 3-3 draw with Cramlington Town. Chris Laidlaw, Redmond Cockburn and Kev Long replied.

Goals from Michael Armstrong and Mark Sheeran for Division Two leaders Red House Farm were cancelled out by David Graham and Shaun Edwards strikes for second-placed Harton & Westoe CW.

Leigh Shickle took just two minutes to fire Wideopen ahead against Whickham Lang Jacks.

Graeme King equalised in the 23^rd minute, but Andrew Shaw restored Wideopen’s advantage in the 35^th.

Lee Laidler crashed a second leveller into the back of the net in the 76^th minute.

First Division Newcastle Uni were taken all the way by Blyth Town Reserves in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup, the sides drawing 3-3 after extra time and the Students just shading the thrilling penalty shoot-out 8-7.

The rest of the Northern Football Alliance programme was decimated by frozen pitches as temperatures dipped overnight.

Michael Waggett came off the Heaton Stannington bench and hit a double as the black and whites stormed from behind to beat ten-man Walker Central in the East End derby.

In a typically heated and tough local affair, the leaders were stunned in the 67^th minute as Scott McDonald shot the visitors ahead.

Central had a man sent for an early bath just a few minutes later and Waggett raced onto a through ball to tuck the leveller past the advancing keeper.

Waggett then set up Jonathon Wright to rifle in the second and added the third himself as his pace again took him clear to steer the ball home.

Carlisle City remain in contention just a point behind Heaton as they put Ponteland United deeper into relegation trouble with a 2-0 win, second half goals from Andy Rogerson and Tom Lucock doing the damage.

Shankhouse hit five past bottom side Murton with Alex Mathieson netting twice. He was joined on the scoresheet by Dean Porter, Andrew Carr and Matthew Richardson while Martin Peace and Matthew Billiard scored for the visitors, who also missed a penalty.

Rutherford full-back Lee McGuiness lashed in his first goal for the club to open against Ashington Colliers and Shaun Todhunter added number two with a spot-kick.

Wyn Fremlin pulled one back mid-way through the second half and the Colliers salvaged a point with just two minutes to go as David Brown thumped a powerful header into the roof of the net.

Blyth Town looked to be heading for three points at Percy Main as they led through Paul Joicse’s early goal with just eight minutes left.

But Ryan Laws levelled direct from a corner and with just a minute to go, Tony Abladey made it 2-1. New signing Liam Robertson, from Jarrow Roofing, marked his debut with the third in stoppage time.

Goals from Craig Armstrong and Ray Oshin saw Hebburn Reyrolle ahead in the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup quarter final at Seaton Delaval.

Michael Fenwick struck twice to level things up and Danny McGuire completed a thrilling comeback with the winner late on.

Whitley Bay A had Mark Davison and Ian Lee on target as they joined the Red Devils in the semi-final by seeing off Killingworth Sporting 2-1.

Adam Shanks was on fire and smashed in four as Amble United romped to an 8-0 win at Cullercoats and starched their lead at the top of the table to seven points.

Sean Taylor got a double and Brad Wake and Ross Gair the others.

Goals from Mattie Smith and Dan Sheriker put Forest Hall two-up at Cramlington Town and although Kevin Long netted for the home side, they held out for the points.

Red House farm extended their lead at the top of Division Two to eleven points as Harton & Westoe slipped up at home to Hexham.

Mark Sheerman and Paul Newton-Eddy netted for the leaders at Swalwell, who had Anthony Telfer on target.

Hexham are up to fourth after Alistair Stobbs hit the only goal of the game at Harton & Westoe, while Northbank were 4-0 up at the break at Wideopen.

John Slaven struck twice and Nicky Routledge and Cameron Wilson got the others. Wideopen improved after the break and Leigh Shickle hit a double in reply.

Bedlington Terriers Reserves had Dylan Williamson and Scott Westaway on target but North Shields Athletic earned a point with goals from Anthony Keith (pen) and Matty Donkin in reply.

Alnwick Town reserves, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Chemfica Independent, Willington Quay Saints and Heddon all advanced in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup, but highest ranked side Wallsend Town crashed to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Kenton Bar and Whickham Lang Jacks went out of the Durham FA Minor Cup after extra time 3-0 to Hartlepool Rovers.

Tom Lucock shot the Sky Blues ahead in the 15^th minute and Ian Grainger added the second just before the break.

New Murton signing Shane O’Brien fired home in the 70^th minute, but the Cumbrians held firm for the points.

Killingworth Sporting are just two points adrift in third as goals from Liam Callaghan, Paul Dunn and Francesco Di Pietro earned them a comfortable win over fourth-placed Shankhouse, who hit back through a Kevin Grahamslaw free kick.

Darren Addison thumped a thrilling injury time winner into the net as Harraby CC came from behind to take the points at Whitley Bay A.

Both sides had struck the woodwork before Sean Jobson tucked in the opener from close range for the Seahorses in the 45^th minute.

Dean Armstrong capitalised on a goalkeeping error to fire in the leveller in the 54^th minute and Whitley were reduced to ten men ten minutes later.

Addison pounced to lash in the winner from a corner in stoppage time.

Hebburn Reyrolle took just four minutes to hit the back of the Ponteland United net as Alan Pegram fired home and their defensive frailties were exposed time and time again in the opening period as Ray Oshin, Adam Bell, Craig Watson, Channon North and Chris McDonald joined him on the scoresheet. Mick Rankin pulled one back and there was no more scoring as the visitors tightened up after the break.

A Danny Beresford effort, a rare goal from skipper John Iveson and a Paul Joisce free-kick put Blyth Town in control against Seaton Delaval, who grabbed a consolation through Michael Fenwick and Ashington Colliers stormed into a three goal lead in four mad minutes before the break against Rutherford.

Glen Bolton, Ashley Smyth and Wyn Fremlin all lashed in with the visitors hitting back with goals from Alv Rasmussen and Ross Taylor.

Alex Claston headed in the only goal of the game from a 75^th minute corner as Walker Central beat Percy Main.

Wallsend Town closed the gap on leaders Amble United to four points with a win at Gosforth Bohemains – but it took a last-gasp Lee Garwood strike to seal it.

Craig Burke and Liam Anderson put Town in control, but battling Bohs hit back through Craig Allen and Paul Studley.

Mark Waite shot Cramlington Town ahead against Heddon, who levelled through Andrew Davidson.

Kevin Long restored the Cramlington advantage, but Steven Watson equalised and Davidson added his second to turn the tables.

However, Jordan Watson levelled things up again with just four minutes to go.

Division Two leaders Red House Farm had John Elliott, Shaun Forster and Robert Nolan on target in a 3-2 win over Alston, with Reece Thirtle banging in both of the Cumbrian’s goals.

David Graham netted a double for Harton & Westoe, with Andrew Quinn and Shaun Edwards also finding the net in their 4-1 success over Wideopen, who replied through Will Nutman.

North Shields Athletic fought back from 5-2 down against Whickham Lang Jacks to salvage a point in the match of the day.

John Dewhurst banged in a hat-trick for Lang Jacks and it looked game over as Andy Wilson and Stephen Spoors added to the tally.

But never-say-die Athletic had Matty Donkin (2), Ben Pollock (2) and Gary Farrage fire home in the ten-goal thriller.

There were eight goals at Seaton Burn against Cramlington United, but unluckily for the visitors, they were all for Seaton Burn.

Mark Nixon led the way with four and Nicky Hara(2), Andrew Bennet and Chris baker completed the rout.

Goals from Nicky Whitelaw and Andrew Robertson gave Wallsend Boys Club the lead against New Fordley, who earned a point with strikes from Andrew Dalton and Thomas Illingworth.

Jonathon Wright added two more and Lee Johnson wrapped things up while Liam Callaghan netted a brace for the shell-shocked home side, whose cause wasn’t helped as they were reduced to ten men.

Whitley Bay A were in a sharpshooting mood at Ponteland United where they struck eight times.

Niall Younger and Jack Walker both hit two each while unlucky United full-back Michael Rankin had his head in his hands after putting into his own net twice as well.

David McDonald and Ryan Keltie got the others with Billy Holden grabbing a consolation.

Carlisle City went behind at home to Blyth Town after just 4 minutes when Paul Joisce struck, but they levelled through Tom Lucock.

Dan Beresford regained the Town lead, but once again City hit back and Steven Rooke pegged them back. Kyle Devlin grabbed the winner in the 72^nd minute.

Ben Pearson and Chris Fairless scored for Stocksfield at Ashington Colliers with Patrice Butters netting a late consolation and Abu Bakker-Salin hit the only goal of the game against bottom side Murton.

Kevin Gustard and Dean Porter fired home for Shankhouse as they beat Walker Central and Harraby CC’s Dan Balmer shot them ahead against Percy Main, with Matthew Read adding a brace to finish off the Villagers.

Amble United were frustrated by visitors Cramlington Town until the 49^th minute when Calvin Flanigan pounced to grab the opener.

Josh Hay added a second and Lee Harker produced a late third to move the Seasiders seven points clear at the top of Division One.

The party ran long into the night at Cramlington United as the Second Division basement boys pulled off their first win of the season.

You can bet that the drinks were all the sweeter for Shahab Macvandi and Chris Poriz who scored the goals in a 2-1 success over Northbank.

John Slaven netted for the Cumbrians, but Santa came early for United as they dug deep for the three points and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Gareth Hayton flashed in a double for Alston as they won 3-2 at Whickham Lang Jacks. John Wright was the other scorer, while John Dewhurst and Lee Laidler fired in for Lang Jacks.

Shaun Stonehouse shot Swalwell ahead at New Fordley but it was all-square again five minutes later as Thomas Illingworth equalised.

Durham FA Trophy holders Hebburn Reyrolle thumped in four first half goals as they beat Hartlepool Town and went into the semi-finals.

Goals from Alan Pegram, Liam Clark, Channon North and Ray Oshin in the opening half hour proved too hot for the visitors, who had been unbeaten all season.

Rutherford went out of the competition 2-0 at Brandon British Legion and Harton & Westoe slumped 7-2 at Counden & Leeholme.

Ten Northern Alliance clubs will compete in the fourth round of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup after a day of successes in the competition.

Wallsend Town’s Steve Matthews hit a double and Paul McHutcheon got the other as they saw off AFC Newbiggin while Wallington’s Josh Gilmartin was another who hit a double as the Greens beat last season’s beaten finalists Blyth Isabella. Jake Walton was also on target.

Leroy Odd struck four times and Rob Haney hit a hat-trick as Morpeth Sporting saw off Embleton WR in extra time while Second Division Alnwick Town Res pulled off a surprise as they dumped out First Division Cullercoats 3-1. Colin Bickerton, Nat Price and Rich Cakar found the net in the win.

The Colliers had trounced their hosts 9-2 in the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup just seven days previously, so must have fancied their chances of keeping up the pressure at the top.

But they went behind to a Luke Wallace strike in the tenth minute and although Jamie Patterson levelled in the 30^th minute, Mike Fortune netted five minutes before the break to give the battling home side the advantage.

Patterson was on target again to level in the 55^th minute, but Murton held out for the point that moves them level on points with two other clubs in the basement.

Gateshead Rutherford are looking over their shoulder after being sucked into the relegation battle with their 3-1 home defeat by Killingworth Sporting.

First half strikes from Micky Bowman and Paul Baird gave third-placed Sporting the advantage and although Shaun Todhunter pulled one back, Terry Goicochea netted a third.

Heaton Stannington’s new signing Jonathon Wright moved from Seaton Delaval this week and it took him just half an hour to make his mark, racing through to lob the ponteland United keeper for the opener.

He added his second in the 52^nd minute as he slipped a shot under the keeper and it all went pear-shaped for United when Ben Telford added the third on the hour.

Lee Johnson made it four seven minutes later and the black and white’s heads were down as Telford completed his brace just three minutes later.

Sub Michael Legget came off the bench to add the sixth eight minutes from time and send Heaton rocketing back to the top of the table.

Alex Berhan’s early opener for Seaton Delaval was cancelled out by Percy Main striker Nkuriza Suaibu and it remained that way until the hour mark when Abu Bakker-Salin grabbed a quick-fire double.

There were just sixty seconds left when Danny McGuire netted an exquisite chip for Delaval and Grant Kershaw added the fifth in stoppage time.

Harraby CC hit the woodwork twice at Blyth Town before going behind to a Craig Hopwood penalty and then being reduced to ten men.

But the Cumbrians fought back and Dean Armstrong levelled before Dan Balmer cracked in a late winner.

Gosforth Bohemians gave Hebburn Reyrolle a fright in the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins when Steve Leonard shot the Division One side ahead after 11 minutes.

But this just stung Reyolle into action and Alan Pegram levelled soon after. Towering 6’8” striker Channon North then plundered a double and further goals from James Wood and Christian Wilkinson put the south Tynesiders into the quarter finals.

Stocksfield won the all-Premier affair against Walker Central with goals from subs Steve Forster and Ben Pearson, with Paul Collinson grabbing a late reply, while Whitley Bay A adavanced with goals from Ian Lee, Ryan Keltie, Michael McMullen and Andrew Charlton against Cullercoats. Robert Watson notched a consolation.

Morpeth SC created a number of chances against bogey side Heddon, but found the visitors keeper in inspired form and fell behind in the 40^th minute to an Andrew Lee Davidson goal.

Perry Veitch added a killer second five minutes after the break and although Joe Danqhuar pulled one back, an own goal with five minutes left and a Tony Wigham strike in stoppage time sent Heddon through.

Amble United extended their lead at the top of Division One to four points with a game in hand as they netted six times against basement side Forest Hall.

Sean Taylor got the Seasiders off to a flier in the 8^th minute and a Ross Gair double, netting in the 19^th and 50^th minutes, put them firmly in charge.

Gow pulled one back in the 57^th minute, but late goals from Adam Shanks, Darren Riddell and Josh Hay could prove important to the United goal difference.

Newcastle Uni proved even more ruthless with a 9-0 demolition of Cramlington Town.

Charles Illogu and Dan Clements led the way with two each and they were joined on the score sheet by Adam Fearn, Nathan Campbell, Adam Ball and Josh Davison.

It ended all-square in the top of the table clash at Harton and Westoe, with David Bulman netting for the Colliery and Rob Nolan on target for leaders Red House Farm.

Wallsend Boys Club moved into second spot as red-hot Dylan Adamson hit the only goal of the game at Swalwell and goals mid-way through the second half from Andrew Bruce and Chris Holt earned Wideopen the three points against North Shields Athletic.

Reece Allman’s early opener for Seaton Burn was quickly cancelled out by New Fordley’s Lee Waugh and that set the tone for a seven-goal thriller.

Daniel Young’s double put New Fordley on top and when Louis Boddy added a fourth it looked game over.

But Nicky Hara and David Hewitt fired in to give New Fordley a scare and leave them sweating in the last ten minutes for the points.

Pattinson’s goals against Shankhouse were added to by Ian Grainger and Steven Rook as City cruised to a comfortable win.

Blyth Town had Lee Richardson, Dan Beresford, Kyle Devlin and Craig Hopwood on target as the second half sprung to life at Rutherford. Shaun Todhunter pulled one back for the home side.

Chris Fairless fired Stocksfield ahead at Ponteland from the penalty spot but an own goal from Chris Hill pulled United level soon after.

The game was into stoppage time when Fairless grabbed an important dramatic winner.

First half goals from James Wood and Chris McDonald put Hebburn Reyrolle in charge at Walker Central and Carl Thorp came off the bench to add two more for the visitors late on.

Ashington Colliers thumped Murton 9-2 in the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup.

David Brown led the way with a hat-trick and Jamie Patterson was hot on his heels with two. Wyn Fremlin, Andrew Carr, Joe Moscrop and Matty Dunn got the others with Liam Wintripp and Callum Sinclair replying.

Wallington’s Dan Thompson netted the only goal at Red House Farm and Killingworth Sporting went into the hat after a penalty shoot-out against Amble United. Franco Di Pietro scored for Sporting and Dave King hit the net for Amble in a good, close game.

Grant Kershaw was the Seaton Delaval hero as he made a clever run to the near post and bulleted a header into the roof of the net to send Heaton Stannington crashing out.

Paul Katz had shot Delaval ahead, but Lee York levelled.

Harraby CC striker Dean Armstrong can wave goodbye to the reserves as he hit the only goal against Percy Main to send the Cumbrians through in the Kicks Leisure challenge Cup. Armstrong was playing in the second string until a fortnight ago and he’s now netted five times.

Simon Brown grabbed a late winner for Bedlington Terriers Reserves as they produced an amazing turnaround to send Cramlington Town tumbling out of the Pin Point Recruitment Bill Gardner Trophy.

First Division Town looked on easy street when goals from Chris Laidlaw and Jamie Heathcote put them in control, but Scott Westaway led the second half fightback with a double and Brown added the bight with five minutes left.

Chris Holt’s late winner for Wideopen produced another shock at Forest Hall while Newcastle Uni just edged out Northbank with Luke Fisher netting the only goal.

Wallsend Town had Gary Hall, James Mills and Andrew Beaton on target but they were given a bit of a fright by Willington Quay Saints whose scorers were Stephen Cape and Kane Chirnside.

Cullercoats and Gosforth Bohemians shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller in Division One. Robert Watson struck twice for Cullercoats and Steven Hart got the other while Leonard Steven, Matty Atkin and Darren Campbell netted for Bohs.

Max Turner slid in the only goal of the game for Heddon as they beat Morpeth SC.

Wallsend Boys Club striker Dylan Adamson is on fire and he hit a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Whickham Lang Jacks that moved them up into third spot in Division Two. Steven McCabe added a double and Steven Spoors the consolation.

Alnwick Town Reserves had Neil McFall, Jake Lowes and Chris Moffat all celebrated as they scored a 3-2 success at second-placed Harton & Westoe. Danny Symington and Andrew Quinn struck back.

Matty Donkins double helped put daylight between North Shields Athletic and the foot of the table as they saw off Cramlington United 6-2. Rob Hamilton, Jimmy Anderson, Josh McGirr and Karl Morrison got the others with Kyle Leadbitter and Chris MacKavindi the United scorers.

Goals from Reece Thirtle and Adam Walton saw Alston take the points at Seaton Burn and Hexham recovered from the set back of New Fordley’s Andrew Waugh hitting the opener as a quick-fire return from Neil Tiffin and Alistair Stobbs turned things around.

Paul McLean added a third from the penalty spot after the break and the Tynedalers are up to fourth.