JUST four games went ahead last week as the winter weather took a grip of the league's fixture programme.

A brave, battling performance by Eldon Lane wasn't enough to hold high-flying Old Shildon, who ran out 3-1 victors thanks to two goals in the last two minutes.

Kevin Russell put Shildon into a first half lead after just five minutes, but Shaun McGowan equalised seconds before half-time.

And Eldon's brave fight to claim a point looked to have paid off until the dying moments of the game, when James Hedley and Thomas Louden grabbed the winning goals.

"Very disappointed," said Eldon manager Sean Maguire. "We were up against it a lot during the game but we felt we did enough to get something from the game, especially after the way we defended. We had the bare 11 out with some of our young players coming in, so from that point of view it was a very good performance."

In Division Two, top-of-the-table Postchaise maintained their title push with a comfortable 7-1 win over Masons United. Phil Dowd opened the scoring in the first half and United held it at that until half-time. But Postchaise increased their advantage after the break with another two goals from Dowd and others from Ray Walton (2), Lee Taylor and Brian Denham.

"It was a fairly comfortable win," said Postchaise manager Andy Wharton. "But they were hampered in the second half with a very boggy goalmouth, which didn't help them at all.

"But I was really pleased that two of our lads returned from injury to score. It was Ray Walton's first game back since breaking his leg in February, and he came on as a sub and scored, while it was also Brian Denham's first game since breaking his foot, so it was especially pleasing for them to return and to get on the scoresheet."

Elsewhere, Victoria beat Binchester Hotel 5-2 with goals by Adam Cunningham (3), Martin Longthorne and Mark Nelson. Craig Woods and Andrew Williams scored for Binny.

Green Tree and Shildon Athletic played out a 3-3 draw. Darren Rutter (2) and Kevin Stamp score for the Tree, with Darren Dodds and Keith Hirst netting for Shildon.

Meanwhile, the League's close relationship with Unibond League side Spennymoor continued last week when the club once again agreed to hot the league's five cup finals in the summer.

The Second Division Cup Final will take place on Sunday March 30. The semi-finals of the competition consist of Victoria, Horndale, Brawns Den and Postchaise.

The First Division Cup Final will be held on Sunday April 27. Old Shildon, Lakeside, Thorns and Beehive or Brandon are in the semis.

The Invitation Cup Final will be played on Friday May 2. The first round draw was made last week, with games due to be played on Sunday December 29.

The draw was: Horndale v Binchester Hotel, Eldon Lane v Masons United, Binchester Social Club v Tudhoe United, Loves v Brandon, Victoria v Shildon Athletic, Newton Aycliffe v Postchaise, North Briton v Lakeside, Two Blues v Grand, Beehive v Boot & Shoe. The seven byes went to Cumby Arms, Green Tree, Eldon Arms, Old Shildon, Thorns, Salvins and Brawns Den.

The B&A Trophy Final will go ahead on Sunday May 4, with Brandon, Brawns Den, Postchaise, Thorns, Old Shildon, Horndale, Loves and Grand in the quarter-finals.

Finally, the League Cup Final will be held on Sunday May 11. The quarter-finals currently consists of Thorns, Tudhoe Utd, Victoria, Old Shildon and Newton Aycliffe. Outstanding games are: Grand/Lakeside v Salvins, Cumby Arms v Masons United and Two Blues v Eldon Arms.