BROOMPARK Loves edged a thrilling top-of-the-table clash after an eight-goal encounter with rivals Old Shildon.

Division One leaders Loves extended their lead at the top to four points, although Old Shildon hold a game in hand.

Old Shildon began brightly and pressured Loves, but two goals by Gary Hindmarsh put the home side into a 2-0 half-time lead, while Neil Bacon and Hindmarsh (hat-trick) added another two after the break to double their advantage.

James Hedley, Thomas Louden and Paul Shaw scored for Shildon to pull the game back from the brink, before Jay Wilson killed the game off and secured a crucial victory for Loves.

"It's our win of the season," said Loves' Keith Flowers. "They started well but then we got two goals and took control of the game. We went 4-0 up and changed things around, when they got back into it, but the fifth goal killed them. We were well up for and it's a great result - we're over the moon!"

Meanwhile, Thorns capitalised on Loves' success with a 6-3 win at Green Tree to leapfrog Shildon into second spot. Steven Richardson (3), Martin Longthorne, Anthony Stewart and Andrew Richardson were on the spot.

Salvins continued their impressive recent form with the 10-2 mauling of a depleted Lakeside.

Hat-tricks by Kevin Dodds and Mark Nicholson, plus goals by David Nutt (2) and Paul Jones, condemned Lakeside to their worst defeat in more than five years.

Salvins boss Colin Bell said: "I thought we played very well. It was one of our best performances of the season, everyone was up for it and they showed that. Although I thought Lakeside were disappointing, they weren't really at the races."

Elsewhere, Binchester Social Club won 3-1 at Beehive with goals by Greg Robinson, Lee Furber and Chrstopher Pickles. Kenny Melvin scored for Beehive to continue his unusual record of scoring in every game up to now this season - some feat.

In Division Two, Hunwick stamped their authority on the division when they thrashed third-placed North Briton.

The second division title race has been nip-and-tuck all season, with the Brit, Masons Arms and the Grand staying in close pursuit of Hunwick.

But the leaders increased their advantage at the top to what appears to be an unassailable six-pint gap with the 10-0 hammering of the Brit.

Striker Stephen Howe put in a man-of-the-match performance with no less than seven goals, while Ian Richardson, Sean Nicholson and Peter Lonsdale chipped in with one a-piece.

"We weren't expecting such an easy game," admitted Hunwick Secretary Aidan McCabe, who also plays right-back. "They were never really in the game and, after giving us good close games twice previously this season, it came as a surprise. But we would now hope to go on and win the league - it's in our own hands."

Shildon Athletic and Victoria drew 3-3. Wayne Stout, Chris Ross and Jeff Fieldson scored for Athletic, with Marc Nelson, Scott Jones Adam Cunningham were on target for the Vic.

Voltigeur beat Cumby Arms 3-1 thanks to goals by Craig Warburton (2) and Michael Hudson. Michael Hannon scored for Cumby.

Finally, Middlestone Moor progressed to the semi-finals of the Division Two Cup with a 5-1 win over Boot & Shoe.

* The league would like to inform club secretaries that the next league meeting will now take place on Wednesday, January 14 - a week later than planned - at the Grand Hotel in Bishop Auckland, from 8pm.

RESULTS ROUND-UP, Sunday January 4: Division One: Green Tree 3, Thorns 6; Loves 5, Old Shildon 3; Lakeside 2, Salvins 10; Beehive 1, Binchester SC 3; Horndale 1, Tudhoe Utd 3.

Division Two: Shildon Athletic 3, Victoria 3; Eldon Arms 1, Belvedere 1; Voltigeur 3, Cumby Arms 1; Hunwick 10, North Briton 0.

Division Two Cup QF: Boot & Shoe 1, Middlestone Moor 5.

Sunday's fixtures: Division One: Binchester SC v Lakeside, Loves v Tudhoe.

Division Two: Eldon Arms v Boot & Shoe, Middlestone Moor v North Briton, Cumby Arms v Masons Utd, Shildon Athletic v Voltigeur.

B&A Trophy Quarter-finals: Green Tree v Old Shildon, Grand v Masons Arms.

B&A Trophy Round Two: Postchaise v Victoria, Hunwick v Beehive, Thorns v N Aycliffe.