The Tyne valley outfit had Marc Nixon (2), Matthew McLoughlin and John Hamilton on target but still finished as 5-4 losers.

Shankhouse secured the points with goals for Kevin Gustard (2), Craig Johnson, Andrew Sherlaw and Anth Moran after leading 5-2 at the interval.

Two of the league's Cumbrian sides – Gillford Park and Harraby Catholic Club – are sharing a 16-point total at the head of the Premier Division with Gillford having played a game less than their neighbours.

Still unbeaten in six starts, the Park had an idle Saturday when their home game against Alnwick Town was postponed.

And Harraby took advantage, collecting maximum points from their 5-1 win away to Ashington Colliers.

The Colliers had beaten hosts Alnwick Town 3-2 in midweek with strikes by David Brown (2) and Dylan Williamson outweighing the efforts of Alnwick scorers Scott McMullen (penalty) and Ian Common.

But they found Harraby much more daunting and the Cumbrians raced into a clear half time lead thanks to goals by Lee Otway, James Earle and Rob Bainbridge.

Otway and Bainbridge both netted again in the second half and Ashington's single reply came on the hour from Richie Brown.

Heaton Stannington were overtaken by Harraby as they scorned their own chance to go joint top and were beaten 4-3 by hosts and close neighbours Newcastle University.

Dave Kewn's hat-trick was the telling factor for the Students in their first league win.

Their other goal was put away by Oliver Haywood with a disappointed Heaton replying in vain through James O'Neill, Joe Weir and Chris Hutchinson.

Seaton Delaval had failed to win any of their four previous league games before entertaining Cramlington Town but turned the corner with a 2-1 success.

Cramlington's Mark Holt cancelled out John Fitzpatrick's opener for the home side but just before the interval Steve Anderson netted from the spot for what turned out to be Delaval's winner.

Heddon have won all three of their games at Bullocksteads this term after beating Murton 3-2 on Saturday and are now occupying fifth spot.

Poor travellers Murton had Andrew Upperton and Paul Wintrip on the mark but John Pearson opened Heddon's account and his colleague John Dunn bagged a brace to get the points in the bag.

Ponteland United's hero in their first home win was undoubtedly youngster Scott Fenwick.

In his side's 4-1 victory against Carlisle City, United's new recruit completed a fine hat-trick which included two penalties.

Glenn Ford also scored for Pont whose goals were all put away in the opening half before Peter Cawson finally replied for City on the hour mark.

Defending champions Walker Central were beaten 4-2 at Peterlee in midweek.

Ian Dunn's opener and an own goal gifted by Peterlee keeper Lewis Yates gave the Central a two-goal interval lead.

The Newtowners, however, turned impending defeat into victory with four replies in the closing quarter hour.

Their match-winning marksmen were David Howe (2), Nathan Liddell and Karl Lilley (86th minute penalty.

Three days later Walker bounced back effectively with a 4-1 win away to Blyth Town.

Jeff Fuller was Blyth's only scorer while the Central ended their short lean spell with goals supplied by David Thompson (2), Richie May and Ian Dunn.

And while the Central celebrated their hosts were shocked even further by the immediate resignations of joint managers Steve Walker and Ian Johnson.

Former boss Jeff Orr has agreed to take up the reins again.

After their home win against Walker, Peterlee Town – the Alliance's sole representatives in the FA Vase – bowed out of the competition.

The Newtowners had Karl Lilley scoring against cup hosts Newcastle Benfield but were finally well beaten 4-1. Michael Chilton (2) and Stephen Young (2) found the net for the Northern League side.

In an all-First Division preliminary round clash in the League Cup, Percy Main booked themselves a first round home tie against Cramlington Town by beating cup hosts Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 3-2.

Tony Browell opened the Main's account by heading home a deep cross from Lee Gray and Liam Knox scored their second with another header from Jason Ritchie's flag kick.

The Bohs hit back with replies from Ben Guy and Harry Tulip but in injury time the Villagers just shaded it as Michael Freathy latched onto a long clearance to score their winner.

On the league front in the First Division, Whitley Bay 'A' extended their lead at the top of the table to six points by beating Seaton Burn 4-0 at Hillheads.

With a 100 per cent record in five home games the Bay were comfortable victors after Chris Reid got them off the mark with his successful penalty.

Sean Jobson doubled Whitley's lead and Gavin Hattrick and Simon Reay scored their later goals.

Although Whitley Bay are flying high at the moment they may be overtaken in subsequent weeks by any of their three nearest rivals Stocksfield, Cullercoats and Hebburn Reyrolle.

All three won last weekend to keep the pressure on and Reyrolle beat hosts Chopwell Officials 1-0.

Second-placed Stocksfield haven't dropped a single point in their six games so far and goals by Ben Pearson (2), Sandy Tordoff and Wayne Stewart earned them a 4-0 verdict against visitors Berwick United.

In direct contrast, Berwick are propping up the table and still seeking their first league win.

In third spot, Cullercoats hammered visitors Red Row Welfare 12-1 with the troubled Welfare having just parted company with their manager.

They were in complete disarray and Cullercoats took full advantage.

Femi Akinbolu helped himself to four of their goals with his colleagues Craig Deighton and Peter Bradley bagging a brace each.

Stewart Wright, Ben Gardner, Phil Deighton and Joe Elliott completed the hefty tally for the Seasiders.

After just losing three league games on the trot, Newcastle East End turned the corner with a 6-2 victory away to Westerhope who have also struggled this term.

The home side's scorers were Malcolm Bewick and Andrew Brunsden but the East Enders were in serious mood.

Two goals each for Gary Dixon and Karl Donaghy got the points in the bag before Joe McAnespie and Shaun Blair also hit the target.

Wallington secured their first home win and hoisted themselves up into mid-table by beating Gateshead Rutherford 5-1.

The Gateshead lads have won only one of their last six First Division games and Danny Hall's single goal wasn't going to end the dismal run.

In difficult conditions at Scots Gap, Wallington's overall dominance was reflected by a four-goal blast by Ashley McAlpine and another strike by Stuart Dickinson.

Amble United are still setting the pace in the Second Division with Wideopen and District and Wallsend Boys' Club jointly occupying second place, three points behind the leaders.

All of the pacesetters picked up maximum points and Amble United, at home to Hexham, scored six goals without reply.

Chris Moffitt's hat-trick for the winners included a second half spot kick and their other goals were supplied by Darren Riddell (2) and Paul White.

Wideopen were also decisive in winning 5-1 away to Tynemouth United who are still pointless on the bottom rung.

Gary Lamb (2), James Harrison, Paul Booth and Sean Hay all netted for Wideopen with Tynemouth's single reply claimed by Chris Grieves.

Wallsend Boys' Club were just a little less impressive in beating visitors Newcastle BT 3-1 and had Martin Roper, Louis Horner and Andy Lau to thank for their goals with Andy Mackay replying for BT.

Meanwhile, Willington Quay Saints are closing in on the leading group and their home form has been remarkable so far.

The Saints kept their run going by inflicting a first defeat on Wallsend Town who were playing away for the first time this season.

In a 3-2 win for the Saints, Glen Gallon scored twice and their third goal was a penalty put away by Glen Johnson. Wallsend's replies came from Nick Anderson and Graham McMillan.

In a mid-table battle Forest Hall went down 3-1 against improving visitors North Shields Athletic who had David Pill, Gary Farrage and Dan Walton on target with Michael Reay responsible for the home side's consolation goal.
Having lost all six of their opening games Whitley Bay Town hoped for a change in their first home game against Benfield Chemfica.

They got what they wanted in the form of a 3-0 victory after Graeme Murray opened the scoring with his first half penalty.

Micky Welford doubled the Town's lead before Neil Picton also netted to complete their tally.

League newcomers Stobswood Welfare were also 3-0 victors against Amble, who were playing their first game away from home.

It wasn't a happy trip for the lowly Seasiders and they trailed to Michael Hogg's goal at the interval.

Chris Graham's goal improved the Welfare's advantage and a third scored by John Farrell made the points totally secure.

Fixtures

Saturday, October 11 (2.30pm)

Premier Division
Carlisle City v Heaton Stannington; Gillford Park v Peterlee Town; Harraby Catholic v Heddon; Shankhouse v Walker Central.

Division One
Killingworth YPC v Cullercoats; Seaton Burn v Newcastle East End.

Division Two
Amble United v Newcastle BT; Benfield Chemfica v Tynemouth United; Forest Hall v Wallsend Boys' Club; Hexham v North Shields Athletic; Stobswood Welfare v Wallsend Town; Whitley Bay Town v South Shields United; Willington Quay Saints v Amble.

NFA Senior Bowl (2pm)
Alnwick Town v Westerhope; Berwick United v Red Row Welfare; Blyth Town v Ponteland United; Gosforth B Garnett v Ashington Colliers; Newcastle University v Whitley Bay 'A'; Seaton Delaval v Percy Main; Stocksfield v Cramlington Town; Wark v Wallington.

Durham FA Trophy
Billingham Kader v Chopwell Officials; Ebchester Consett Reserves v Hebburn Reyrolle; Sunderland South v Gateshead Rutherford.

Cumberland FA Senior Cup
Northbank v Salterbeck.

Tuesday, October 14 (7.30pm)
NFA Senior Cup
Heaton Stannington v Blyth Spartans (at Croft Park).