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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Wark completed a league and cup double by winning 4-0 at home to Shankhouse with goals shared by Tony Lancaster, Phil Thompson, John Famelton and Matt MacLoughlin. Marc Nixon failed to get his name on the score sheet for the first time this term.

Walker Central fell at the first hurdle and were beaten 3-0 by county cup hosts Alnwick Town.

An improving Pont deserved a share of the spoils and their efforts produced an equaliser via Billy Holden after 85 minutes.

Fellow leaders Walker Central also drew 1-1 with Harraby Catholic Club .

Ashington had taken three points off Walker Central the previous week, and on Saturday managed to keep Wark at bay until early in the second half.

Matt MacLoughlin finally got the visitors off the mark and further strikes by Marc Nixon (2) - who has found the net for Wark in every game this season- and Tony Lancaster killed off the Colliers.

In 1994, Gordon Reavley held the record for the Kielder Water Circuit Challenge - a 26 mile challenging marathon walk around the rugged shoreline of Kielder Water in Northumberland.

Now he has returned to the scene of his former glories, although he got a little help from the updated track.

The two pace-setters are now six points clear of nearest rivals Carlisle City.

Wark made it five wins in a row by beating Killingworth Sporting 3-2.

Marc Nixon bagged two of their goals to take his tally to 15, and his colleague Jamie Peel was also on target. Replies from an impressive Killy outfit came from Nick Hindhaugh and Liam Callaghan.

Walker Central were beaten for the first time this term and went down 4-2 against Ashington Colliers at Monkchester.