WEEKEND FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

STOKE City were in Championship action at the weekend and were well beaten in the end with Sunderland winning 3-1 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Sunderland went 3-0 leading 1-0 at half-time with a goal from Burstow on 43 minutes then in the second half Ba scored the home sides second on 49 minutes before Ekwah sealed the points in the 70th minute as he netted. Seelt completed the scoring as he scored an own goal giving the Potters a consolation. Attendance: 41,394.

PORT Vale slipped to a 1-0 defeat against league one leaders Portsmouth as the teams looked to be heading towards a 0-0 draw the visitors to Vale Park scored a late penalty in the 88th minute as Bishop converted to give Pompey all three points.

CREWE Alexandra suffered defeat at the hands of Salford City 3-2 and what could be a costly loss of three important league points in their promotion push.

The visitors took the lead in the 4th minute as Smith scored the first of his three goals before the Alex fought back and took the lead with goals from Rowe on 44 minutes and Nevitt in the second minute of added time to lead 2-1 at the break. Salford equalised in the 55th minute and grabbed the winner in the 85th minute as Smith completed his hat-trick to win the game for Salford.

MACCLESFIELD travelled to Guiseley in the Northern Premier League looking to add three points in their promotion drive and they went in front on 16 minutes as Curran netted for the visitors, Guiseley equalised early in the second half as Mariette scored on 47 minutes. The silkmen bounced back though as Drummond struck on 82 minutes to score the winner for the Cheshire club. Attendance: 1,007.

LEEK Town maintained their position at the top of the Northern Premier League West Divsion with a 1-0 victory over Mossley with the all important goal coming late on in the 90th minute with Harrison netting to give Town all three points. Attendance 571.

KIDSGROVE Athletic travelled to Witton Albion and lost out to the home side 3-1.

A brace from Duckworth with two penalties scored by him the first on 10 minutes with the second early in the second half on 49 minutes and Brazel on 35 minutes gave the Cheshire club s 3-0 lead. Athletic gained a consolation goal on 66 minutes from Woolley. Attendance: 452.

NEWCASTLE Town continued their impressive form under new manager Neil Baker this time though they had to settle for draw at the Red Industries Stadium.

Avery put Town ahead against Cltheroe on 8 minutes and it looked like the home side were heading for victory before Clitheroe equalised on the stroke of full time with a goal from Barlow in the 90th minute. Attendance: 221.

HANLEY Town suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Avro on Saturday afternoon.

The all important goal came on 67 minutes as Hawley netted giving the visitors all three points. Attendance: 112.

NANTWICH Town travelled to Prescott Cables in league action and fell short with the home side taking all three points with the winning goal coming on 45 minutes with Murphy netting for the high flying Prescott side.