OLD Shildon emerged as the clear favourites for the league title after beating one of their closest rivals, Thorns, last week.

Thorns are currently top, but Old Shildon have three games in hand, and they boosted their championship bandwagon no end with what turned out to be a comfortable victory.

Ian Maddison scored two first half goals. Thorns were still in the game and were awarded a penalty just before the break, but failed to capitalise and Stephen Jones added a third after the interval.

Anthony Stewart pulled one back, but Kevin Russell added the fourth to complete a good win for Old Shildon.

"The lads were well up for it," said midfielder Martin Hedley. "We knew it was a massive game and we had to win. It was close for a while but I think their heads went down when we got the second."

Loves won 3-1 at Postchaise thanks to two goals by Jay Wilson. Sean Nelson also scored.

Newton Aycliffe narrowly beat Browney 2-1 with goals by Dave Muir and Johnny Craig.

Meanwhile, neighbours Horndale and Lakeside played out a 2-2 draw.

Scott Mason put Horndale ahead in the first half, and new signing Ryan Stonehouse doubled their lead after the break.

Martin Walker pulled one back with just 15 minutes left, while defender Rob Chambers netted an unfortunate own goal.

Lakeside boss Stuart Hodgson admitted: "I'm grateful for the draw because they battled hard and wanted the game more than us. I was pleased that we battled back in the second half and improved our performance slightly, but they will be disappointed with the draw."

Horndale manager Mickey Grimes said: "We were determined not to be beaten after our result at the start of the season, and I thought we were unlucky. I'm pleased to have won a point, but thought we deserved to win all three."

Finally, Binchester Social Club beat Beehive 6-5 with goals by Anthony Binks (3), Paul Foster, Alan Bailey and Paul Sutton. Kenny Melvin (2), Mark Pattinson, Craig Lister and Adam Henderson scored for Beehive.

In Division Two last week, Masons Arms went to the top of the league with a close, 5-3 win at Boot & Shoe, Justin Fox (2), Stuart Thompson, Steven Fothergill and Ian Crow scoring their goals.

Fourth-placed North Briton bounced back from their recent blips with a comfortable, 6-0 win over neighbours Cumby Arms.

Dave Patrick scored a hat-trick, while Kevin O'Neil (2) and Phil Judge were also on the scoresheet.

"It was a good performance from us," said secretary Judge. "We've suffered some bad results lately and we needed the win. We could have scored more goals, but it was important to get the win."

Meanwhile, Middlestone Moor leapfrogged the Grand in the table with a 4-2 win at Masons United.

Michael Symons netted a hat-trick and Dave Parker one to record Moor's fifth win of the campaign.

"It was a good close game," said boss Jimmy Tray. "The game could have gone either way at half-time, but I think we just edged it after the break and probably deserved the win."

Hunwick maintained their third spot with a 10-1 thumping of Victoria - Stephen Howe (3), Sean Nicholson (3), Ian Wise (2), Ian Richardson and James Melville all scored.

Finally, Voltigeur won 4-2 at Eldon Arms thanks to goals by Craig Warburton (3) and Billy Ward.

* www.spenny-league.co.uk

Results round-up, Sunday, December 14: Division One: Thorns 1, Old Shildon 4; Green Tree 2, Salvins 3; Horndale 2, Lakeside 2; Postchaise 1, Loves 3; Binchester SC 6, Beehive 5; Newton Aycliffe 2, Browney 1.

Division Two: Eldon Arms 2, Voltigeur 4; Middlestone Moor 4, Masons Utd 2; Hunwick 10, Victoria 1; Boot & Shoe 3, Masons Arms 5; North Briton 6, Cumby Arms 0.