The Albany Northern League

Marske United and Bedlington have got home advantage against Cornish clubs Falmouth and Porthleven respectively, but neither of them will fancy travelling around 400 miles to the South-West for a possible replay next week. Consett also have a home tie, against former winners St Helens, while Billingham Town, who have some excellent away form this season, won't be worried too much about a trip to Brigg Town.

Crook Town manager Dennis Pinkney still managed a smile after his side were thrashed 13-0 at Dunston on Saturday.

Pinkney, 45, was forced to go in goal after keeper Anthony Robinson injured a finger in the first half, and he had no chance as Dunston ran rampage after the interval to inflict Crook's heaviest defeat.

Pinkney was forced to reckon without six players who cried off late, and said: "I've been in goal twice before, when Brian Newton was manager at Crook about 20 years ago. On one occasion, I kept a clean sheet.

"I think the goals have got bigger since I last played there!"

Pinkney also had to persuade assistant David Stiles, 44, to take the field.

Chester-le-Street have parted company for the second time with midfielder Ross Lumsden - although it's on friendly terms.

Lumsden took part in a couple of games for Chester during his holiday from the USA, where he is studying on a soccer scholarship.

Chester were hoping to sign him before Christmas, but were unable to get international clearance through in time, so Lumsden could only play against Whitley Bay and Hebburn before he returned stateside.

Matty Sowden, who is registered with West Auckland, has been suspended by the league for failing to reply to correspondence following his move to UniBond League club Spennymoor.

South Shields manager John Gamble has been severely warned about his future conduct by the league after being found guilty of misconduct by Durham FA.

The icy weather put paid to several matches in midweek.

On Tuesday, the only league game played was in the Second Division, where Shildon's promotion places suffered another setback when they lost 2-0 to Murton at Kennek Ryhope.

The game between Newcastle Blue Star and Dunston was called off in the afternoon, but the game at Ashington against South Shields was postponed less than an hour before kick off.

Four matches took place on Wednesday. Crook Town lost 2-0 at home to West Auckland. The visitors took the lead after 26 minutes with a Carl Beesley header, and former Crook player Paul Harnett got the second from the penalty spot. Crook included several new players in their side after the 13-0 defeat at Dunston on Saturday. Mark Crame replaced the injured Anthony Robinson, while there were also debuts for Frazer Suddick, Femi Akinbolu, Jimmy Meldrum and David Boucher.

Peterlee moved into fourth place thanks to a 4-2 home win over Tow Law. Peterlee did the damage in the first 20 minutes, with Lee Fitzgerald (2) and Chris Creamer (2) on target. Tow Law hit back with a header by Scott Nicholson, and a second half penalty from Mickey Bailey.

In the Second Division, second- placed Willington lost 3-1 at home to Esh Winning. Esh took the lead after six minutes when a weak backpass let in Alan Colledge, then Steve Gill failed to gather a long ball after 42 minutes, and Mark Drake tapped in. Esh went 3-0 up on 78 minutes when Drake lobbed Gill from the edge of the box, with Elliott McCabe pulling a late goal back for Willington.

Northallerton continued their climb with a 3-0 home win over Kennek Ryhope. Marc Raw put them into the lead after five minutes, with Dave Lawson adding two more from long range after 40 and 67 minutes.

Murton's home game with Horden, which was scheduled for next Saturday, has been brought forward to tomorrow.

Durham manager Brian Honour gave a debut to his former teammate Paul Baker at Marske United last Saturday. Baker, who has had spells with Hartlepool, Scunthorpe and Torquay, left Bedlington last week, with keeper Adam Cleminson going in the opposite direction.

But Baker hardly saw the ball during his debut as Marske came out on top on a heavy pitch. "Paul must be judged on the chances he had," said Honour, "and he didn't get any at all.

"He needs a couple more matches before we see what he can do."

Honour believes that the title race will go well into the last month of the season.

"We've lost our last two matches, but other teams will have bad spells as well."

The draw for the third round of the Albany Northern League Cup is: Bedlington v Alnwick, Billingham Synthonia v Guisborough, Brandon v Whitley Bay, Crook Town v Easington, Marske v Consett, South Shields v Newcastle Blue Star, West Auckland v Kennek Ryhope CA.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Durham City 25 15 5 5 61 26 50

Billingham Syn 22 14 4 4 55 33 46

Bedlington 20 14 2 4 61 18 44

Dunston 17 11 4 2 47 18 37

Peterlee 20 11 4 5 37 30 37

Marske 17 9 5 3 31 14 32

Brandon 21 9 5 7 41 32 32

Guisborough 21 9 4 8 36 33 31

Billingham Tn. 16 9 2 5 34 21 29

Tow Law 16 8 2 6 42 25 26

Chester-le-St. 19 8 1 10 34 28 25

Seaham 20 8 1 11 35 61 25

Whitley Bay 17 7 3 7 31 24 24

Consett 20 7 3 10 27 34 24

N'castle Bl. St. 18 6 5 7 30 39 23

Jarrow Roof. 22 5 6 11 34 48 21

West Auckland 17 5 5 7 20 28 20

Easington 15 5 2 8 25 33 17

Morpeth 21 4 4 13 23 48 16

Hebburn 21 2 3 16 20 55 9

Crook Town 21 1 2 18 17 98 5

Division Two

Thornaby 17 11 5 1 45 25 38

Willington 19 9 8 2 38 17 35

Horden 20 10 4 6 23 21 34

Ashington 16 10 3 2 46 23 33

Washington 18 8 7 3 37 19 31

Esh Winning 17 9 4 4 40 25 31

Norton 19 7 6 6 26 28 27

Northallerton 13 7 5 1 39 13 26

South Shields 18 7 5 6 40 35 26

K'k Ryhope CA 20 6 6 8 26 30 24

Shildon 20 7 3 10 26 34 24

Alnwick 19 5 8 6 30 31 23

Shotton 17 4 9 4 31 28 21

Murton 16 6 3 7 29 34 21

Penrith 13 4 6 3 18 19 18

Whickham 21 4 5 12 30 46 17

Prudhoe 20 5 2 13 27 49 17

Evenwood 19 4 4 11 18 53 16

Eppleton 20 0 3 17 22 56