CROXDALE were crowned Division Two champions after they just edged the final league game of the season.

And it was a bitter pill to swallow for runners-up Quinns, who lost the championship to an unfortunate own goal five minutes from time.

The game was at a stalemate and heading for a draw, which would have handed leaders Quinns the title.

But Gavin Bell's free-kick was turned into his own net by defender Jonathan Dent, and that was enough to gift Croxdale the title after a closely-fought game.

"We're obviously over the moon that we've won the league, " said victorious manager Craig Fish.

"But it was a shame for it to be decided that way as Quinns didn't deserve to lose the game, we just had that slice of luck which was enough to win the game. But it was an excellent match, the best I've seen all season, played in the right spirit. But it was pleasing to finish the season with a really hard-fought game to win the title after such a promising season, so I was proud of the lads and the way they went about their game, it was brilliant!"

Quinns can console themselves by the fact they had already won two trophies this season - the B&A Trophy and the Kelvin McIntosh Division Two Cup.

Boss Keith Brain said: "We'd have swapped one of the cups for the league to be fair! But we said at the start of the season, our aim was to win two trophies, and we did that. We have also won promotion to Division One as runners-up so that's an achievement as well, so overall it has been an excellent season for us."

Quinns bagged their second trophy with a grinding win over Belvedere.

Already with the B&A Trophy in the cabinet after beating Division One side Masons Arms exactly a week earlier, they had to come from behind against plucky Belvedere after they took a firsthalf lead.

Timmy Hutchinson scored for the underdogs after 20 minutes, but not before Chris Hodgson equalised for Quinns before the break.

A close game followed the re-start, but Steve Quinn added a second for the favourites with 20 minutes left, and Hodgson added his second of the game to wrap it up for Quinns.

"It's great to have won two trophies in our first season in the league, " said defender Steve Jackson. "They gave us a great game and, even when we went ahead for the first time in the game with 20 minutes left, they still looked like they could score. It made for a good, competitive game."

Belvedere player manager Karl Thompson said: "The lads worked hard and never gave up, I was proud of them. We were beaten twice by Quinns in the league this season so it was always going to be a very hard game for us. But it was our first-ever final and so we still enjoyed the occasion."

Lakeside take on Belvedere in the Paul Stevens Memorial Trophy this Sunday. The league's final game of the 2005-06 season will be held at the Sunnydale Leisure Centre's pitch within the new athletics track in Shildon, kick-off 10.30am.

The next league meeting will be the AGM at the North Briton in Aycliffe Village on Wednesday, June 7 from 8pm. Clubs are reminded that those wishing to continue in the league for the 2006/07 season must be in attendance.

The league's end-of-season presentation night will take place on Friday, June 9 at Old Shildon WMC, with entertainment by local band the Zoo, tickets priced £3.

RESULTS: Sunday, May 21: Division Two: Quinns 0, Croxdale 1.