LEADERS Leadgate Golden Lion dropped their first points of the season and then discovered they are the new League Champions.

The Lion were held to a 2-2 home draw by Blackhall Mill, but the gloom of seeing their 100 per cent record ended, disappeared when they discovered that the only team capable of catching them Lanchester Social Club had not turned up for their game at Annfield Plain Cricket Club.

Lanchester now face an automatic three-point penalty that means the Golden Lion are not only champions, but well on course to win all the league's top domestic honours.

John Dettmar and Mark Turner netted the Lion's goals with Mick Welsh and Lee Craggs earning Blackhall Mill their point.

In the only other top flight game, Station Ex Juniors saw off Stateside 5-3.

Burton House now require just one more point to lift the Second Division title after a solitary Graham Gill goal saw them account for Consett Top Club.

Martin Rowlands grabbed a hat-trick for second placed Cricketers and Duncan McCullough yet another two in a 5-1 win at the Highwayman while Chris Jackson and Lee Carriss goals took Annfield Plain Demi to an odd goal in three win at the Smiths Arms.

Swalwell Burgoynnes hit the Smelters Arms for six and were crowned Third Division Champions following yet another defeat for second placed Ball Alley.

James Parkin scored twice for third top Delves United who beat Ball Alley 4-1. However, Delves cannot catch Ball Alley who are promoted along with Burgoynnes.

Burgoynnes were 6-1 winners over Smelters with a hat-trick Scott Revell, two from Melvyn White and the other from Ian Rogerson with Lee Campbell replying for the Smelters.

The Freemasons won 4-0 at Cronniwell, Scotch Arms edged out Hamsteels 2-1 with a Kevin Tennant winner and Burnhope crushed the Duke of Wellington 9-2.