GORDON Muchall gave the performance of the day - and possibly the summer - in helping Sunderland to a dramatic victory.

The Durham County star hit an unbeaten 192, the highest in the club's history and the second best in the league with the winning runs coming in style with a six from the last ball of the game against Blaydon.

Muchall, who has struggled to win a regular place in the Durham County side largely because of his lack of runs, was in devastating mood with 22 fours, a five and a six in his 171-ball knock.

Blaydon had set Sunderland, the league leaders, the mammoth task of scoring 260 to win with Mark Drake (67), Ben Harmison (63) and Alan Worthy (46) making the most of the excellent batting wicket.

They must have fancied their chances of winning when both Sunderland openers were out cheaply.

But Muchall, who had earlier taken three of the Blaydon wickets, took centre stage. Although in danger of running out of partners against the bowling of Harmison (4-104).

Muchall showed his full repertoire of shots as 140 runs were scored in the last 20 overs, including 26 from the final 15 balls and Sunderland's final total of 265-8 almost smashed another record. It was their second biggest team score in the Premier League.

Blaydon, who started the match in second place, got little reward for their contribution to a remarkable afternoon and dropped down to third as South Northumberland powered their way to a five-wicket victory against Durham Academy. South North resurrected their title challenge by grabbing a healthy 27 points after the Academy set them 249 to win.

Karl Turner (57) and Andrew Smith (56) set a fast scoring rate despite four wickets for South's Richard Brooks. The champions took up the challenge with 52 from skipper John Graham and then a majestic 82 from Chris Hewison.

South Shields, who started the season with a flourish after promotion from the Durham Senior League, dropped to fourth after their third defeat. It was also a heavy reverse as Tynemouth totalled 260-8 and then dismissed Shields for 171.

Bottom club,Stockton eased the pressure with a draw against Chester-le-Street who faced them with a daunting total of 252-8 after John Coxon (83) and Tony Birbeck (71) produced excellent shot making, even though Chris Hooker (4-78) was the pick of the home bowlers.

Stockton never gave up in their reply with half centuries from Richard Thomas and Chris Oliver as they came within 19 runs of victory.

Benwell Hill had an exciting win against Gateshead Fell squeezing home by just one wicket. Richard Smith with a half century top scored for the Fell but their main bowler, Will Gidman (8-49) must be wondering why he wasn't on the winning side.

Newcastle were thwarted as they went for victory against Norton after posting 266-8 with a declaration. Paul Wiseman fell five short of a century for the Tynesiders and then took three wickets, but Norton saved the game with their last pair of batsmen at the wicket.