CHAMPIONSHIP holders Newton Aycliffe suffered a shock set-back when they were beaten by a battling Green Tree.

Kevin Wilkinson had given Aycliffe a 1-0 first-half lead, but Andrew Walton equalised before the break.

Barry Liddle then put the Tree 2-1 up, with Russell Mercer equalizing for Aycliffe. David Longstaff grabbed the winner.

"It was a great performance by the lads," said Tree secretary Ian Richardson. "We changed our formation from previous games after some disappointing results and we battled hard. We were up for the game and we're delighted with what is a great result for us."

Meanwhile, one of Aycliffe's rivals - Old Shildon - were starring defeat in the face before their game had to be abandoned.

Browney were leading 2-1 when, with less than 30 minutes remaining, referee Martin Haigh was forced to withdraw from the game due to an injury.

And Haigh has praised both sets of players following the unusual incident. "I was struggling with an Achilles problem for most of the game," he explained. "And the problem worsened as the game progressed. It got to a point where I wasn't able to make any fair decisions as I was unable to keep up with play, so I felt that stopping the game was a fair and reasonable decision.

"But to be fair both teams were superb about it. They fully understood and accepted that, while I desperately tried to continue, I had to abandon the game. It was, perhaps, unfortunate for Browney, but both sides were fantastic - they were a credit to the league."

Elsewhere, Salvins beat Beehive 4-2 thanks to a hat-trick by Daniel Pattinson and one from Christopher Wall. Jeff Dunn and Paul Richardson scored Beehive's goals.

Thorns won 8-0 at Tudhoe United with goals by Mark Russell (3), Andrew Richardson (2), Steven Richardson, Anthony Stewart and Michael Oliver, while top-of-the-table Broompark Loves won at Lakeside 5-2 thanks to strikes from Brent Naylor (3) and Gary Hindmarsh (2). Marc De Lucia and Dave Welsh scored for Lakeside.

Horndale won 4-1 at Binchester Social Club. Wayne Pratt scored three and David Teddar one for the victors, with Darren Spark netting Binny's solitary goal.

In Division Two, the Grand won 4-0 at Masons United thanks to goals by Scott Wright (2), Michael Davison and Kevin Priestly.

And Middlestone Moor hammered Boot & Shoe 10-0, with strikes by David Leary (4), David Parker (3), Gavin Codd, Craig Parker and Mick Simmons.

Boss Jimmy Tray said: "It's a big confidence booster for us, coming off the back of a good result against Eldon Arms the previous week. We're been playing well recently so a result like this was coming. And, to be fair, we might have scored more had their goalkeeper not played as well as he did."

Finally, in the Second Division Cup first round, Shildon Athletic won 3-2 at Cumby Arms.

Adam Potter, Keith Hurst and Steven Bennett were on target for Shildon, while Michael Hannon and Russell Cant scored Cumby's goals.

* The league is now open to volunteers interested in taking over the Fixture Secretary role following the resignation of Norman Dale - members have until the next League Meeting (Wednesday 1st October) to come forward. In the meantime, referees and club secretaries are asked to contact Secretary Mike Hill on 01388 608062 for any queries regarding fixtures, and Registration Secretary Tommy Lye on 01388 773550 for anything regarding referees.

RESULTS: Sunday, September 21: Division One: Tudhoe United 0, Thorns 8; Beehive 2, Salvins 4; Lakeside 2, Loves 5; Newton Aycliffe 2, Green Tree 3; Binchester SC 1, Horndale 4. Browney v Old Shildon match postponed.

Division Two: Masons United 0, Grand 4; Victoria 3, Belvedere 2; North Briton 3, Voltigeur 2; Boot & Shoe 0, Middlestone Moor 10.

Division Two Cup R1: Cumby Arms 2, Shildon Athletic 3.

FIXTURES: Sunday, September 28: Division One: Thorns v Newton Aycliffe, Old Shildon v Tudhoe United, Browney v Salvins, Green Tree v Binchester SC, Postchaise v Horndale.

Division Two: Grand v Middlestone Moor, Shildon Athletic v Masons United, Eldon Arms v Cumby Arms, Belvedere v Masons Arms, Voltiguer v Boot & Shoe.