Last updated 13:38, Monday, 29 September 2008

Whitehaven Amateurs were held 1-1 at the County Ground by Team Northumbria – but still retain leadership of the Northern League’s First Division.

It was a disappointing performance by the west Cumbrians who lead by seven points. But closest rivals Norton and Stockton A have four games in hand.

Manager John George said: “We were flat from the start and in many ways it was our worst performance of the season. We just couldn’t get anyone lifted.

“I think it’s often been the case when we’ve played in mid-week and I’m pretty glad that seems to be the midweek games out of the way.

“Now that we’re back to Saturday to Saturday matches with training sessions in between I think we’ll be fine and I think it’s a big bonus that we’ve reached this stage at the top of the League.”

Whitehaven will have their first week’s break before playing at North Shields on Saturday. They are currently fifth bottom with two wins and two draws from their nine games.

George had been looking forward to seeing Team Northumbria in action as they cane with a good reputation. “To be honest I was disappointed because I didn’t think they were very good, so that made the home draw doubly disappointing from our point of view,” added the Haven boss.