Newton Aycliffe striker Warren Byrne scored possibly the fastest goal of the STL Northern League season against Morpeth yesterday.

According to the match referee, Byrne scored after just 18 seconds, which was more remarkable considering that Morpeth had kicked off.

Newton Aycliffe boss Alan Oliver said: "Morpeth kicked off and just kept passing it back, but they lost possession to Elliott Gardiner, who turned the ball back for Warren to backheel in. We asked the referee, and he said 18 seconds."

Byrne has now scored 18 league goals this season, two ahead of Gillford Park's Michael Reed.

Together with Guisborough's defeat at Team Northumbria, Aycliffe are now seven points ahead of the others at the top of the table.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: " With seven players missing, a semi frozen pitch,and both teams coming back after a lengthy lay off, this all added to what can only be described as a poor game of football, two defensive howlers and a number missed chances by us. Very disappointing."