diff --git a/openevolve/utils/code_utils.py b/openevolve/utils/code_utils.py
index 5ef3f7cf0..faf09c0ed 100644
--- a/openevolve/utils/code_utils.py
+++ b/openevolve/utils/code_utils.py
@@ -206,24 +206,43 @@ def extract_diffs(
         ValueError: The standard SEARCH/REPLACE response has an extra or
             unmatched delimiter line. Custom diff patterns retain their own grammar.
     """
-    matches = list(re.finditer(diff_pattern, diff_text, re.DOTALL))
     if diff_pattern == _STANDARD_DIFF_PATTERN:
-        # A permissive regex can absorb a second separator into replacement
-        # text and then insert it as code. Validate the complete response's
-        # delimiter lines before applying any matched block.
-        cursor = 0
-        for match in matches:
-            if _STANDARD_DIFF_MARKER.search(diff_text[cursor : match.start()]):
-                raise ValueError("Unmatched SEARCH/REPLACE delimiter outside a diff block")
-            block_markers = [
-                marker.group(1) for marker in _STANDARD_DIFF_MARKER.finditer(match.group(0))
-            ]
-            if block_markers != ["<<<<<<< SEARCH", "=======", ">>>>>>> REPLACE"]:
+        return _extract_standard_diffs(diff_text)
+    matches = re.finditer(diff_pattern, diff_text, re.DOTALL)
+    return [(match.group(1).rstrip(), match.group(2).rstrip()) for match in matches]
+
+
+def _extract_standard_diffs(diff_text: str) -> List[Tuple[str, str]]:
+    """
+    Extract SEARCH/REPLACE blocks delimited by whole marker lines
+
+    A marker only counts on a line of its own, so code such as a "# =====" banner
+    comment stays part of a block. Every marker line in the response is checked
+    before any block is returned: a permissive match could otherwise absorb a
+    second separator into replacement text and insert it as code.
+    """
+    markers = ["<<<<<<< SEARCH", "=======", ">>>>>>> REPLACE"]
+    blocks: List[Tuple[str, str]] = []
+    texts: List[str] = []  # SEARCH and REPLACE text of the block being read
+    expected = 0
+    section_start = 0
+    for marker in _STANDARD_DIFF_MARKER.finditer(diff_text):
+        token = marker.group(1)
+        if token != markers[expected]:
+            if token == markers[1] and expected == 2:
                 raise ValueError("Malformed SEARCH/REPLACE delimiter sequence")
-            cursor = match.end()
-        if _STANDARD_DIFF_MARKER.search(diff_text[cursor:]):
             raise ValueError("Unmatched SEARCH/REPLACE delimiter outside a diff block")
-    return [(match.group(1).rstrip(), match.group(2).rstrip()) for match in matches]
+        if expected > 0:
+            texts.append(diff_text[section_start : marker.start()].rstrip())
+        # A section's text starts on the line after its marker
+        section_start = marker.end() + 1
+        expected = (expected + 1) % 3
+        if expected == 0:
+            blocks.append((texts[0], texts[1]))
+            texts = []
+    if expected:
+        raise ValueError("Unmatched SEARCH/REPLACE delimiter outside a diff block")
+    return blocks
 
 
 def parse_full_rewrite(llm_response: str, language: str = "python") -> Optional[str]:
diff --git a/tests/test_code_utils.py b/tests/test_code_utils.py
index d1d08f7a9..ac023ab2a 100644
--- a/tests/test_code_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_code_utils.py
@@ -237,12 +237,14 @@ def test_separator_with_trailing_whitespace_raises(self):
         with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
             extract_diffs(text)
 
-    def test_crlf_marker_is_recognised(self):
-        # Standard pattern needs LF after markers, so a CRLF response yields no
-        # match; its marker lines are then reported rather than silently ignored.
+    def test_crlf_response_is_parsed(self):
         text = "<<<<<<< SEARCH\r\nx = 1\r\n=======\r\nx = 2\r\n>>>>>>> REPLACE\r\n"
-        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
-            extract_diffs(text)
+        self.assertEqual(extract_diffs(text), [("x = 1", "x = 2")])
+        self.assertEqual(apply_diff("x = 1\ny = 1", text), "x = 2\ny = 1")
+
+    def test_marker_lines_with_trailing_whitespace_are_parsed(self):
+        text = "<<<<<<< SEARCH  \nx = 1\n=======\t\nx = 2\n>>>>>>> REPLACE \n"
+        self.assertEqual(extract_diffs(text), [("x = 1", "x = 2")])
 
     def test_apply_diff_leaves_no_partial_changes(self):
         # A valid first block must not be applied when a later block is malformed.
@@ -266,6 +268,22 @@ def test_separator_inside_code_line_is_allowed(self):
         text = f"<<<<<<< SEARCH\nx = 1\n=======\n{replace}\n>>>>>>> REPLACE\n"
         self.assertEqual(extract_diffs(text), [("x = 1", replace)])
 
+    def test_code_line_ending_in_separator_does_not_split_search(self):
+        # A banner comment such as "# =====" ends with the separator text; only a
+        # line that is the separator ends the SEARCH section.
+        banner = "# " + "=" * 25
+        search = f"{banner}\n# Helpers\n{banner}\ndef f(x):\n    return x + 1"
+        replace = f"{banner}\n# Helpers\n{banner}\ndef f(x):\n    return x + 2"
+        text = f"<<<<<<< SEARCH\n{search}\n=======\n{replace}\n>>>>>>> REPLACE\n"
+        self.assertEqual(extract_diffs(text), [(search, replace)])
+        self.assertEqual(apply_diff(search + "\n", text), replace + "\n")
+
+    def test_code_line_ending_in_marker_text_is_not_a_marker(self):
+        search = "x = 1  # <<<<<<< SEARCH"
+        replace = "x = 2  # >>>>>>> REPLACE"
+        text = f"<<<<<<< SEARCH\n{search}\n=======\n{replace}\n>>>>>>> REPLACE\n"
+        self.assertEqual(extract_diffs(text), [(search, replace)])
+
     def test_marker_words_in_prose_are_allowed(self):
         text = (
             "I use the ======= separator and >>>>>>> REPLACE marker below.\n"