Esh Winning are claiming a league first by scoring three goals in just over a minute on Saturday against Peterlee.

In the space of two minutes, the score changed from 0-0 to 3-0, with Peterlee stunned by the sudden onslaught.

Esh boss Barrie Fleming said: "It was amazing how it happened, because it hadn't been much of a game until then. I was seriously thinking of subbing one of our forwards.

"Our first goal was a move down the right, and Dave Mawson crossed for Gary Messer to score.

"Peterlee kicked off, and we gained a free-kick. Craig Marron played the ball through for Dave to square the ball to Gary to score again.

"Peterlee restarted the game again, we gained possession, and Dave, who was still in our half, noticed that their keeper was standing on the edge of 18 yard box complaining to his defence about the last goal, so he lobbed the ball over him Beckham-style."

New signing Alu Banguera scored another, so in effect Esh scored four times in five minutes.

In the same match, Esh gave a debut to defender Jamie Carfoot, signed from Brandon.

Seaham general manager Tommy Goodrum says that new boss Neil Hixon has made a huge difference to the club.

Hixon, appointed in October, has guided the club to the fringe of the Second Division promotion race, and last Saturday had a crucial 2-1 home win over local rivals Horden.

"Neil has given the club a real lift," said Tommy. "Since he's arrived, we've lost just twice in 17 matches, and we've got a chance of promotion.

The rest of the management team, Rob Brookes and George Herd, have also made a big contribution."

Peterlee have taken defender John Bendelow off the transfer list at his own request, but midfielder Gary McManners has now asked for a move.

Billingham Town's floodlighting problem is bigger than they anticipated. One of the pylons was blown down in the gales a fortnight ago, and expecting the construction job to take some time, Town asked the league to give them Saturday matches only.

But an inspection of the other lights has revealed corrosion, so it looks as if the whole system will have to be replaced.

There was some good news for Town on the playing front. Striker Carl Chillingsworth has won his appeal against a three-week suspension for his dismissal against West Auckland in December. West wrote a letter supporting the player's case.

Eppleton centre-half Robert Swan is having a trial with Sheffield Wednesday. He is the second player to go out on trial, the other being striker Michael Dibie at League of Wales club Barry Town.

Washington Nissan have signed keeper Paul Gilmore from Blyth - but his debut lasted less than 20 minutes.

Nissan boss Gavin Liddle pipped another Northern League club for the signature of the former Seaham and Billingham Synthonia keeper, and gave him his debut at home to Northallerton last Saturday.

But Gilmore was dismissed for violent conduct early in the game, leaving Nissan to play the rest of the match with sub keeper Frank Johnson in goal and nine outfield players.

They managed to win 3-2, but they finished the game with nine men because another sub, Ben Ryan, had to be carried off after they had used all their subs.

Nissan striker Adam Johnston scored a hat-trick, which took his league goals tally for the season to 27, nine more than Ashington's Alan Hogg.

Prudhoe are involved in an international clearance wrangle with the Scottish FA over midfielder Phil Thompson.

Early last week, the club received a letter from the Scottish FA saying that Thompson, a former Carlisle player, had been given clearance to play in Scotland, but there was no mention of any club being involved.

Because his international clearance applies to Scotland, then he can't play in England, unless he gets clearance from the English FA.

Prudhoe manager Steve Smith said: "We can't play him until it's all sorted out, but no Scottish club has made an approach to us. This has all gone through without us knowing anything. Surely it has to be done properly."

Bedlington manager Keith Perry says that it is unlikely that his side will be progressing to the UniBond League in the near future.

Bedlington have been champions for the last five seasons, and some fans have suggested that they should take promotion to the UniBond League.

But Perry has ruled out any move. "We have got to be sensible, and be aware of our limitations.

"A lot of it is down to finance. Bishop Auckland, Blyth, Spennymoor and Gateshead have all struggled financially, and until there's some sort of restructuring, we can't go forward.

"It's hard financially for everyone. I don't want the club to take one step forward, and three steps back."

Bishop Auckland Referees Society are holding a coaching course for referees beginning on Wednesday 19th February in Spennymoor Catholic Club. Details are available from Ernie Minto on 01388 814183 or Terry Farley on (01325) 313647.

Whitley Bay's defeat at home to Oadby on Saturday means that for the first time in several seasons, the Northern League won't be represented in the last eight of the FA Vase. The draw is; Brigg v Bridlington, Devizes v Maldon, Oadby v Winchester, Mossley v St Blazey or Sudbury.

Billingham Town believe they can still finish in the top four this season.

Town defeated Jarrow Roofing 5-1 on Saturday to stay in fifth place in the table, three points off fourth, but twelve off the lead.

"We're not going to win the league, but I believe that we can get into the top four," said manager Allan Robinson.

"We have Bedlington to play this week, and Guisborough soon after, but after that we have plenty of teams in the bottom half of the table to play."

West Auckland signed midfielder David Southern from Crook at the weekend, and he made his debut in West's 5-0 win at Prudhoe. Southern had a hand in one of the goals as West remained the top scorers in the First Division.

Paul Stout scored a cracker for the fourth, and manager Alan Oliver said: "That was arguably one of the best goals of our season."

Washington's home game against Whitley Bay tomorrow will kick off at 2.30pm because of repairs being carried out on one of the floodlights.

Horden reached their first major cup final for 20 years when they beat Birtley 2-0 in the Durham Challenge cup semi-final on Tuesday night. John Cowley and Chris I'Anson scored for them in the last ten minutes.

They will play Billingham Synthonia in the final, who beat Dunston 1-0 in their semi, Tony Woods scoring.

Durham City are back in title contention after they beat Guisborough 1-0 at the Archibalds Stadium, Micky Dunwell scoring from a rebound after Lee O'Donovan's shot was blocked.

Prudhoe climbed out of the First Division relegation zone with a 6-4 home win over Peterlee, scoring twice in the last two minutes.

There were six goals in the first half for 3-3 at half-time, then Andy Bowes put Prudhoe into the lead. Mark O'Burn equalised after 64 minutes for Peterlee, but then Calvin Magnus and Wayne Edgcumbe scored late in the game for Prudhoe.

Whitley Bay bounced back from their Vase exit by winning 4-1 at Jarrow Roofing.

The biggest result of the week in the second division was leaders Nissan's home defeat by Penrith. Willie Paul and Barry Irving scored for Penrith, who played most of the second half with only ten men.

Easington are still in touch after David Taylor scored two of their goals in the 3-1 away win at Northallerton.

Ashington striker Alan Hogg was on target for the 11th successive league game when he scored one of the goals in the 5-0 win at Alnwick. Hogg has now scored in every league game since the win at Northallerton in November. Marc Nash outshone him at Alnwick, however, by scoring a hat-trick inside seven minutes in the second half.

Third bottom Crook picked up a valuable point when they drew 2-2 at Evenwood, David Snow scoring both goals from the penalty spot.

Shotton's new signing from Willington, Richard Johnson, scored one of the goals in his side's 2-1 win over Kennek Ryhope CA, to lift Shotton further away from the relegation zone.