Hoppers Transport's tie with Coundon Forresters had been put back several times, but it was certainly worth waiting for as Hoppers belied their league form to push the Forresters all the way in one of the reigning champions toughest games this season.

Coundon, still in with a shout of completing the treble this season, opened the scoring midway through the first half as top-scorer Rob Mazur found the back of the net. Rather than buckling as expected though, Hoppers struck back through the recalled Ian Thompson who coolly slotted home to make the half-time score 1-1 - a scoreline that stood until the 80th minute, when Hoppers took the lead as Simon Hullah converted a penalty after Andy Thompson was brought down in the box. However, it was to be a short lived lead as Mazur struck his second of the game to level the scores with only five minutes left of the 90 minutes. Hoppers once more took the lead through Ian Thompson as he struck what appeared to be the crucial goal in the final minute of the game, but once more Coundon came back as Darren Wilson took the game into extra-time with an injury time strike. It was to be Hoppers hearts that were broken however, as Steve Butler struck an all-important golden goal in the second period of extra time to carry the reigning champions into the second round. Coundon slipped further behind in the title race, however, as Spraire RA and Nestfield Club both picked up maximum points whilst the champions were in cup action. Spraire produced one of their best performances of the season to beat a spirited Brinkburn side 5-0. Martin Ward's goal was just reward for Spraire's early domination, and they were soon 3-0 up as Gary Williamson bagged a brace, one of which came from the penalty spot. Richie Hindle made the score 4-0 at the break, before he completed the scoring with an easy tap-in in the second half. Nestfield meanwhile defeated Speedwell 2-0 thanks to goals from Buckley and Kemp.

In the only other first division game The Northern Echo thumped The Green Dragon 16-1. However, it was a brave effort by the nine men of the Dragon who battled the Echo for the full 90 minutes. It took the Echo almost 20 minutes to open the scoring, but they managed to make it 6-0 before half time before they added ten in the second half. Garry Pallas top-scored for the Echo with six, whilst Craig Maddison notched a hat-trick. The Echo's other scorers were John Neilson and Keith Duncan with two apiece and Paul Jackson, Les Mooney and Graham Bartlett who all scored one each. Matthew Smith notched the Dragon's consolation from the penalty spot.

The Division Two game between Northern Spirit and Hurworth Albion went to form with Albion grinding out a 5-0 victory. Wayne King (2), Jonathan Bell, Chris Bellwood and Gary Donald grabbed the goals that edge Hurworth ever closer to Division One.

Shuttle & Loom are also edging closer to the top flight as they remain top of the league after beating fourth placed Jack Horners 5-0. Man-of-the-match Terry Greenstreet completely ran the game for the Shuttle whilst Stuart Curry (2) Paul Hutchinson, Chris Airey and Paul Soderman notched the goals that all but finish the Jack's promotion challenge. Bishop Auckland Cricket Club remain in second thanks to a 7-3 victory over struggling Greyhound, but it was a hard fought victory as the injury-hit Cricket Club under-performed in the first half. However, Steven Robinson notched a brace to settle the Cricket Club's nerves, and man of the match Michael Barker's superb solo effort towards the end of the game put the icing on a terrific second-half for the Cricket Club. Anthony Jaques also got on the score sheet with a hat trick while Kevin Slater notched the other goal. Greyhound player-manager Sid Seddon notched twice for the Greyhound, with John Hughes also finding the net, but the Greyhound still remain locked in what looks like a four-way relegation race.

Sadberge are one of those four teams struggling for survival, and their plight wasn't helped as they lost 6-5 to Allstars on Sunday. Ryan Sandwick hit a fine volley to give the Allstars an early lead in a first half that was all one-way traffic as Darren Kokes hit two and Steven Stacey also found the net to put Allstars into a 4-0 lead. However, Mark Grant pulled one back before the break to give Sadberge hope, and they really could have taken all three points as Joe Jenkins, Tom Weeks, James Shepherd and Grant all grabbed second half goals to completely turn the game on its head at 5-4.

However, Allstars managed to regain their composure and Michael Bland brought the scores level in the final ten minutes before Kokes completed his hat trick to break Sadberge hearts and give Allstars all three points. In the only remaining Division Two game Copper Beech DCS racked up a 20-0 victory over Smith & Allan to condemn the bottom side to Division Three football next season after a run of seventeen defeats in 17 league games this season. In Division Three, three of the four promotion spots were decided on Sunday as AFC Orange, Yates's Wine Lodge and Canney Hill Athletic all secured promotion to Division Two.

Canney Hill Athletic were the least emphatic of the three sides, however, as they struggled to a 3-2 victory over a Hogans side that are still yet to pick up a point this season.

Meanwhile, Yates's stay in second thanks to an 8-1 victory over Newton Cap in which Craig Stoddart was man of the match. Goals from Stuart Bell, Chris Chadwick (4) and James Hogg (2) secured the win while Martin Hogg ended his season-long wait for a goal with a cracking strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. Orange remain favourites to win the title as their 3-0 victory over AXA Insurance maintains their record of only having dropped three points all season. Chris Wardell opened the scoring for Orange with an excellent finish after some fine team play, and Wardell was then fouled in the box as he won the penalty that lead to Orange's second goal - coolly tucked away by Stu Cottam. AXA tried to come back at Orange, but it was all in vain as the Orange defence was too strong, and it was no surprise when Kev Kokes finished the scoring with a well-taken second half strike. Elsewhere, Royal British Legion remain favourites to take the fourth promotion spot despite their game against The Falchion falling foul of the weather at the weekend. Their quest was helped however by fifth placed Pizza Perfekt's 6-2 loss against Nestfield Seconds. Nestfield's scorers were Adi Weston and Trenton Hewitt who both notched a hat trick. Adi's brother Mike notched one of the Pizzaboyz goals whilst Mike Walledge struck the other. In the remaining Division Three game Faverdale and Biglins News played out a 0-0 draw.

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club's game against Springfield was postponed on Sunday as the Sports Club were taking part in the final of the Bishop Auckland Heart Foundation Cup. The Sports Club managed to book themselves a place in the final with an impressive 3-1 victory over Chilton WMC thanks to goals from Craig Barrigan, John Shotton and Paul Stout. The Sports Club will now face Sherburn Lambton Arms in the Final, to be played at the Kingsway, Bishop Auckland on the morning of Good Friday (March 29).

* The League Committee would like to remind all secretaries that this month's league meeting is taking place on Wednesday, February 27 at 7pm at the RA. All teams must be represented.

Darlington and

District League

The full programme of matches was completed. Grey Horse were left lamenting several missed chances as they went down in a high scoring game at Abbey Road. Dave Baldwin and Terry Harrison each netted twice for Horse, but Killinghall Arms hit nine in reply courtesy of hat-tricks from Danny Hannifan and Keith Symcocks and one apiece from Kevin Ashton, David Watson and sub Jamie Langburn. The top two met at Haughton School and Chris Airey gave Shuttle and Loom a deserved lead. East End scrambled an equaliser just before half-time through Mark Maddison. In a bad tempered second half neither side could add to the score, although in the last 20 minutes Shuttle had some good chances to do so. Despite Mark Thompson's leveller, Greyhounds fell behind just before the interval at Albion who took advantage of the luck that was going steadily increasing their advantage in the second half to take the points 6-1. Rodney Brown (3), Gary Mitchell (2) and Daren Kacis their scorers.

In the league challenge cup semi-finals Archdeacon were unable to must a worthwhile shot on target as Post Boy ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Paul and Peter Robson and Michael Armstrong. Newton Aycliffe and RA Social were level at 1-1. But then RA hit a purple patch to score six times. Aycliffe managed to pull two back before time but relinquished their hold on the trophy by 7-3. Gavin Rose (3), Andrew Wetherell (2) and Nigel Clarke (2) were RA's scorers.

In the first round of the Invitation Trophy DSRM SC gave their best display of the season against DGSOB. David Thompson put Rollys ahead but they had to come from behind through Andrew Shaw to level matters at the interval. Old Boys went ahead for the second time, but Thompson equalised immediately and then put Rollys ahead as he completed an excellent hat-trick. Craig Lewis hammered home a corner to put his side 5-3 ahead. However, in a dramatic last eight minutes Old Boys scored three times, the last with less than a minute on the clock to take the tie 6-5. Stuart Anderson (4), Peter Grey and Matty Freitag were Old Boys scorers. In the same competition Speedy Hire lost 4-1 to Rothmans, Aaron Radstock their marksman.

Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

HUNTSMAN booked a First Division Cup Final clash with Eldon Lane after beating Old Shildon in an exciting semi-final last week. Huntsman - currently third in the First Division - looked comfortable when they raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to unlikely hero Dale Nelson in the first half and striker Wayne Marram a minute after half-time. But Old Shildon battled back in the second half and drew level to set up a nail-biting final five minutes - John Poulter and Darren Plaice getting the goals. However, with just two minutes remaining, Huntsman bagged the all-important goal and a passage to the final when Marram headed his second of the game to win the tie. Shildon are especially disappointed, having reached three finals last year and losing all of them.

In First Division league action last week, former Huntsman striker Martin Walker opened his Newton Aycliffe account when he scored as a second-half substitute in a 4-2 win at the Grand. However, last season's Second Division Top Scorer squandered the chance of the game after rounding the 'keeper and clipping the post from just 10 yards - and with a gaping goal at his mercy. Walker made up for the blunder with his goal and assist when he set-up winger James Miller to score the fourth. Steven Moran and Russell Mercer also scored for Aycliffe, while Mark Peacock and Kevin Priestly scored for the Grand.

Royal George beat Horndale 6-3 with goals by Michael Sowerby (two), Darryl Meadows (two), Karl Dawson and Pat Bowtell. Paul Weatheridge, Scott Mason and Wayne Pratt scored for Horndale.

The Salvins beat Laceys 4-1 thanks to a brace by Martin Longthorne. Lee Anderson and Glynn Troop also scored for Salvins, with Joe Cole netting Laceys' only goal.

Europa beat Brandon 4-0 with Mark Lunn, Anthony Forest, Mark Cairns and Aaron Duff scoring.

Meanwhile, Broompark Loves dramatically beat Spennymoor Thorns 4-2 in the Second Division Cup semi-final. Terry Nelson, Tony Robson, Gavin Wood and Brent Naylor all scored for the Loves, with Andrew and Steven Richardson netting for Thorns. The Loves will take on Binchester Social Club in the final, who beat the Green Tree 4-0 in the other semi-final last week. Jeff Morrow scored twice and John Wheatley and Darren Spark both netted one a-piece. In Division Two, Black Horse thrashed Locomotion 11-0. Goals by Alan Barratt (four), Graham Thompson (three), Karl Wilson (two), Arron McGarr and Christian Schofield completed the rout.