BROOMPARK Loves' unbeaten league record came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at Spennymoor Thorns.

An up-beat Thorns side raced into a 2-0 lead before half-time with goals by Andrew Richardson and prolific striker Mark Russell.

Steven Richardson then put the game beyond Loves with a goal after the break to make it 3-0 before Terry Nelson netted a consolation free-kick.

"It was a fairly comfortable win," said Thorns captain Craig Cowans. "We knew we were up against it, Loves having an unbeaten record, but we were really up for it and quite surprised when we went into a 3-0 lead.

"But that was down to the lads' whole-hearted performance - from our 'keeper right through to the strikers. Everyone played their part and it was a very pleasing performance."

Loves Secretary Keith Flowers said: "We're always disappointed to lose games, especially when it's your first of the season after enjoying a promising start.

"Our players weren't up for it and put out a very disappointing performance - but they were told that after the game! Hopefully it's just a blip and we can pick ourselves up and get a result this weekend."

Elsewhere in Division One, Tudhoe United beat Beehive 6-3 thanks to goals by Christian Schofield (3), Karl Wilson (2) and Arron cGarr. Jeff Dunn, Mark Pattinson and Paul Richardson scored for Beehive.

Newton Aycliffe beat the Grand 5-2 with goals by Dave Muir (2), Russell Mercer, Mark Addy and Steve Moran. Simon Marshall and Kevin Priestly scored for the Grand.

Old Shildon continued their strong start to the season with a 2-0 win over Eldon Lane, Paul Whensley and Kevin Russell scoring the goals.

Lakeside, who have recently produced a charity calendar featuring 11 of their players naked as the day they were born, thumped Brandon for nine when striker Marc De Lucia grabbed four goals in their 9-0 win. Martin Walker, wearing full football kit for a change, scored twice while Steve Hepples, Morgan Fielding and Wayne Marram also scored.

In Division Two, the title merry-go-round continued last week as Green Tree and Brawnsden swapped places when Brawnsden were beaten 6-4 in a dramatic game against Horndale.

Brawnsden, who were second, dropped to fourth following the defeat, while Green Tree's 4-3 win over Eldon Arms lifted them up into second.

Darren Rutter (2), Matt and Andrew Carrick scored for the Tree to give them their priceless win, with David Newby, David Sayers and Allan Barratt scoring for Eldon.

Adrian Gough scored a hat-trick for Horndale to give them their encouraging win over Brawns Den, while Wayne Pratt (2) and Tony Stebbings also scored. Dave Phillips (2) and Peter Boucher (2) scored for the Den.

Elsewhere, Shildon Athletic beat Binchester Hotel 4-3 with goals by Jamie Scaife (2), Wayne Stout and Darren Dodds. Gary Robson and Craig and David Parker both netted one a-piece for Binny.

Finally, Two Blues beat Victoria 3-0 thanks to goals by Chris Young, Lee Nixon and Adrian Brown.

Results round-up - Sunday, November 17, Division One: Beehive 3, Tudhoe Utd 6; Thorns 3, Loves 1; Old Shildon 2, Eldon Lane 0; Newton Aycliffe 5, The Grand 2; Lakeside 9, Brandon 0.

Division Two: Two Blues 3, Victoria 0; Shildon Athletic 4, Binchester Hotel 3; Brawns Den 4, Horndale 6; Green Tree 4, Eldon Arms 3.