Four-midable Morien proves a pain for Main
TWO goals in each half from Malcolm Morien, a four-goal salvo which takes his league tally to 30 for the season, saw Killingworth jump into second place with a 4-0 win away to Percy Main Amateurs.
Gateshead Rutherford also maintained pressure at the top when they beat visitors Seaton Delaval 5-0.
Debutant Dan Irvine put Rutherford a goal up on the half-hour, before Dan Fullen and Nikki Langston made the game comfortable at the break. Fullen added his second after the restart and Stephen Hall made it five with 10 minutes remaining.
Alnwick Town breathed a sigh of relief when they edged a seven-goal thriller at home to Shankhouse, grabbing the points with the last kick of the game from Paul Muers.
A brace from Jonathon Colley had Town two up before Kevin Carr levelled with a brace of his own.
Jonathyn Quinn restored the lead from range before Christopher Marshall made for a nervy finale with another equaliser 10 minutes from time, Muers snatching the winner deep into stoppage for the hosts.
Other Premier Division sides were on cup duty in the Northumberland Benevolent Bowl as Wallington won their first-round tie away to 10-man Ponteland, with Jonny Edwards scoring the only goal of the game six minutes from time.
In the second-round matches Newcastle University dismissed hosts Newcastle Blue Star 3-1.
Conrad Zyko and Olly Walden gave the Students a two-goal interval lead before Iury De Moraes pulled a goal back midway through the second period. Lefteris Alambritis sealed progression with the third, four minutes from time.
Chris Zolden netted twice for Whitley Bay A as they won 3-2 away to FC United of Newcastle, who opened the scoring via Anthony Brown. Jordan Stevens gave them hope late on but it was too little, too late, with Sven Hart having also netted for the Bay.
At Newcastle Chemfica there were nine goals, including three penalties, as the hosts won 5-4 against New Fordley.
Chemfica were 3-2 ahead at the interval as the goals flowed. Steve McLaughlin notched two for the victors, one a penalty, alongside efforts from Chris Homans, Fergus Lynch, and Garrick Murphy, while Jordan Watson replied with a treble (two penalties) and Lee Richardson the other.
FIRST DIVISION
A hat-trick from Dylan Mabunk helped Hexham on their way to a 6-2 win at Wallsend Community to move up a place to seventh.
Forest Hall hit basement side Newcastle East End for seven without reply, the visitors without a point in 12 now and with a goal difference of minus 65.
Numerous sides were on Minor Cup duty, with Winlaton Vulcans progressing on the back of an impressive 8-0 win away to Gateshead Redheugh, while Hebburn U23s survived a scare against Wear Valley, they progressed on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
In Northumberland, both Cullercoats and Prudhoe Youth Club hit eight without reply. Blake bagged two as the former dismissed Red Row, while Matty Bloomer scored three and Jordan Phillips two for the latter at home to Burradon.
Joseph Thompson scored twice as Bedlington won 3-1 against Blyth FC, while Karl Lazzari and Andy Murray were among the scorers for Blyth Reserves in their 3-0 win at Wideopen.
Gosforth Bohemians won 5-2 away to Newburn, while the leaders Blyth Town won 2-0 at home to Morpeth Seniors.
Liam Anderson hit five, including a 14-minute second-half hat-trick, as Wallsend Boys Club won 7-1 away to Spittal Rovers.
SECOND DIVISION
Rothbury and Whitley Bay Sporting Club opened up a slender threepoint gap at the top of the league after both won on the road.
The Reds won 4-1 at Stobswood to set the pace. Sporting won 4-2 at Seaton Sluice, formerly Seghill, for whom Nick Doyle scored twice.
At Coundon a brace from Fitzgerald was insufficient as they fell 3-2 against Jesmond, Miller with two and McClean the other.
The one Durham Minor Cup outing saw Whitburn defeat visitors Stockton Portrack Churches 6-1, Alex Chapman netting twice, while in the Northumberland Minor an Adam Bains effort saw Ellington edge Newbiggin 1-0, John Wilson scored twice as Cramlington United dismissed Heaton Hawks 5-2, and Willington Quay Saints fell 4-2 at home to Ponteland Reserves.