Wark returned to action in the Kicks Leisure League Cup this weekend, but were beaten 2-1 by last year's losing finalists Harraby.

Harraby started well and took the lead when Jordan Coulthard headed home.

Wark began to fire on all cylinders after the break and their pressure paid off when Harraby's Mark Thompson conceded a penalty and Marc Nixon fired the home side level from the spot.

However, the Cumbrians came out on top when Marc Shiel's shot hit the post and Andrew Douglas lashed in the rebound.

Walker Central failed to capitalise on Wark's cup match in the Northern Alliance Premier Division when they could only manage a goalless draw with third-bottom Murton. Wark are now five points clear with two games in hand.

At the top of the Northern Alliance Premier Division table, pace-setters Wark were idle - but their six-point lead stayed intact as their nearest challengers all faltered. Walker Central, Heaton Stannington and Carlisle City all failed to secure maximum points.

Meanwhile, Bellingham were in action in the NFA Minor Cup, but failed to clear the hurdle, losing 2-0 away at Newcastle Chemfica.

Wark won 6-2 in last Saturday's top-versus-bottom encounter with Heddon in the Northern Alliance Premier Division.

Marc Nixon took his season's total of goals for league leaders Wark to 26 in his side's latest victory.

Now with a clear nine-point lead at the head of the pack, Wark dished out a lesson to their visitors - and Nixon led the way with his hat-trick.

Losing six games in succession has dumped Seaton Delaval into the basement of the Northern Alliance, but Nick Gray's side was unlucky to lose 2-1 against league leaders Wark at Wheatridge Park.

Wark increased their lead at the top to six points, but found it heavy going after Tony Lancaster fired them into a 40th-minute lead.

After 74 minutes Stephen Howes struck to put Delaval back on terms and they hit the woodwork twice as they put their highly-rated visitors under pressure.

The near-misses proved costly, however, and Wark snatched victory with a telling strike by Mark Campbell in the dying seconds.

Premier Division leaders Wark, along with second-placed Walker Central and Heaton Stannington in third spot, all lost at home in the first round of the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup.

Wark had drawn 1-1 with cup visitors Ponteland United in an earlier and identical league fixture - and the two sides were involved in another nail-biting encounter.

This time, however, a fast-improving Ponteland side just edged it to secure a 3-2 victory.

Wark finally edged out Walker Central to become clear leaders in the Northern Alliance Premier Division - and are now three points ahead of last season's champions.

Wark claimed their fifth away win on the trot and had Tony Lancaster (2), John Famelton, Mark Campbell and Daniel Carter on target in their 5-0 victory over Cramlington Town.

After losing to Newcastle University a week earlier, Walker suffered another damaging defeat in going down 3-1 to hosts Blyth Town.

Both of the pacesetters lost in this weekend's round of Northern Alliance fixtures.

A surprising reverse for Walker at home to bottom club Newcastle University was mirrored up the Tyne Valley, where their fellow pace-setters Wark were also beaten 2-1 by Heaton Stannington.

Daniel Carter netted for Wark, but their fourth-placed visitors secured the points with two goals from Gary Yates.

With Walker Central and Wark still sharing identical records in pole position, nearest rivals Carlisle City trimmed their lead to three points and the Cumbrians have a useful game in hand.

Meanwhile, Bellingham progressed to the second round of the Tyneside Amateur League Cup with a 4-3 victory over Newcastle Medicals.

Walker Central and Wark are enjoying a six-point lead at the head of the Premier Division.

Wark beat in-form visitors Alnwick Town 3-1.

Although Alnwick's Ben Keenan cancelled out Tony Lancaster's early strike for Wark Lancaster netted again to restore the home side's lead and their third goal was claimed by Phil Thompson.

Northern Alliance Premier Division leaders Wark booked themselves a third-round League Cup slot at the weekend. They had Marc Nixon completing a hat-trick in their 4-1 home result against visitors Carlisle City.

Phil Thompson had claimed Wark's opener only five minutes into the game. City, who had won the League Cup four times in the last decade, could only manage a single reply by Ollie Driver.

The mountain biking season came to a head at the weekend with the Oktoberfest 50k ride - the last event in the Bike Place marathon series, where the final standings from the season were determined, along with trophies for the day's performances.

The route followed man-made sections, forest roads and some harder off-piste areas, covering three laps of 18 kilometres.

But organisers have ensured it is a very accessible event - not just limited to biking experts, but open for all abilities to take part.