Berwick United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup at Amble United's expense.

In an all-Northern Alliance clash the Borderers, third from bottom in the First Division, knocked out third-top league colleagues Amble United, who had lifted this trophy in 2007.

In an earlier league meeting between these two sides, Amble United had romped to an easy 4-0 victory - but this time they were well below par and Berwick fully deserved their 4-2 success.

Amble returned to action in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup this weekend.

In keeping with other competitions, the cup has had progress badly affected by the weather. The fourth round should have taken place in early January, but only three games have been decided after being given the go-ahead last weekend.

Amble won 3-1 at league colleagues Forest Hall, whose goal was scored by Robert Ruddick. Amble's counters came from Stu Marshall (2) and Adam Shanks.

Meanwhile, Amble United's scheduled tie with Berwick United is one of the fourth round games that remains outstanding.

Third-placed Amble United were held 2-2 at Hebburn Reyrolle in Division One of the Northern Alliance.

Ron Warwick gave United an interval lead but two second-half replies from Simon Jacobs and Alan Pegram swung the game in Hebburn's favour.

An 80th-minute penalty put away by Paul White salvaged a point for the visitors.

Percy Main and Gateshead Rutherford have drawn clear of the rest in the race for the title.

Meanwhile, Amble were in free-scoring mood at home to Blyth Rangers in the Northumberland Minor Cup and won 6-1.

Amble United made progress in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup this weekend. Amble beat visiting league colleagues Whitley Bay Town 2-1.

Chris Atkin opened the scoring for Whitley early in the second half, but Marc Hume to put United back on terms.

In the 65th minute Amble's winner was claimed by Ian Common.

Jobseekers in Northumberland who can't take up employment opportunities because of transport problems are being offered help by a pioneering project that literally puts them on the road to success.

Dozens have already benefited from pilot 'wheels to work' schemes run in two areas of the county - which involve the cheap loan of a car or scooter to get them to and from vital employment or training.

Now the Green Light to Work initiative is being rolled out across the county, following the success of trials in the south-east of the county and Tynedale.

Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup hosts Seaton Burn gave Amble United a hard time, but the Seasiders still emerged as 2-0 victors thanks to Brad Wake and Chris Moffitt.

Meanwhile, current Northern Alliance Division Two leaders Amble emerged from a brief dip in form to narrowly beat bottom side Tynemouth United 2-1 after falling behind to Steve Dickson's opener for their opponents.

Wyn Fremlin's reply restored parity before Amble's winner was notched by Michael Straker.

Meanwhile in the Sportsworld North Northumberland League, Colin Young (2), Anthony Murray, Andy Burgon and Craig Henderson were all on target for Lowick in a win at Acklington Athletic.

Amble (pictured in blue) recorded the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup first round's most convincing victory in beating visitors Hexham 6-1, a surprising outcome following their goal-less draw in the league at Wentworth Park.

Scott Coates scored from the penalty spot for Hexham's consolation goal and they were well beaten by a livelier Amble outfit.

Stu Marshall completed a hat-trick for the winners, whose other marksmen were Stuart Oman, Shaun Jobson and Wyn Fremlin.

Photo by Doug Robson of Hexham FC

Both Amble teams were among the Northern Alliance sides booking third-round places in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup.

Kevin Bell and Adam Shanks were Amble's marksmen in their 2-0 success at home to Newcastle Diggers United (pictured- Amble's Kevin Bell on the ball- photo by Steve Miller).

Amble United won 4-0 at home to Tynemouth with goals shared by Brent Aisbitt, Mark Hume, Lee Harker and Paul White.

Only a single point is separating leaders Amble from second-placed Wideopen & District in the Northern Alliance Division Two- but North Shields Athletic are coming up on the rails.

Amble have picked up only a single point from three recent outings and could only draw 0-0 with hosts Hexham, who are proving difficult to beat at Wentworth Park (photo provided by Doug Robson of Hexham FC).

Gateshead Rutherford are four points clear at the head of the First Division, but with games in hand both Percy Main and Amble United are snapping at their heels.

Amble United marked their return to action with a 5-1 victory away to Newcastle East End. Brent Aisbitt opened United's account in the first half but straight after the interval Anthony Johnson levelled for the East Enders.

But in the last half-hour, Amble's pressure paid off in the shape of goals for substitute Darren Riddell (2), Greg Dance (penalty) and Paul White.

In the Second Division of the Northern Alliance, leaders Amble took a weakened side to face hosts Newcastle BT and paid the penalty in the form of a 4-0 defeat.

The BT lads had drawn their three previous home games, but soon set out their stall in this one with both Greg Palmer and Anthony Stobbs finding the net within 15 minutes of the kick off.

Richard Beverley increased the lead on the stroke of half-time before Neil Clubbs scored his first goal for six years to complete BT's tally.