Spennymoor Thorns and Old Shildon will meet in another cup final after winning their League Cup semi-final ties last week.

Old Shildon needed extra-time to see off Second Division opposition Victoria, who put up a brave fight, while Thorns beat Division One rivals Newton Aycliffe.

Mark Weatheridge had put Aycliffe into a first-half lead just before the break, but Anthony Stewart equalised in the second half. Striker Steven Richardson grabbed the all-important goal about 15 minutes from the death.

"It was a very close game all the way through," said the goal hero, Thorns' top goalscorer. "We battled hard and were up for it, but once we got that goal they hammered us and threw the ball into the box at every opportunity. We just defended very well and probably deserved it in the end."

Aycliffe Assistant Manager Craig Murray conceded: "We were beaten by the better team. We weren't at the races and didn't play any football whatsoever. If it wasn't for our defensive performance in the first half it could have been more, so Thorns thoroughly deserved their victory and we wish them all the very best of luck in the final."

Victoria took a shock lead over Old Shildon through Martin Longthorne, but Paul Whensley equalised. Neither side could find a breakthrough in the second half, but Shildon scored twice in the first period of extra-time through Kevin Russell and Phillip Appleby to secure their third final of the season.

"We battled well and I was pleased with the performance," said Vic manager Kyley Wright. "They had the better of the game but I was pleased with the way we stuck at it with ten men for the majority of the second half."

The final will be played at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field ground on Sunday, May 11. Meanwhile, the First Division Cup Final between Thorns and Old Shildon will be played at Brewery Field on Sunday, April 27, and Old Shildon will also play either Loves or Brawns Den in the B&A Trophy Final on Sunday, May 4.

The B&A semi-final between Loves and Brawns Den was due to be played this morning, with a 10.30am kick-off.

In Division One last week, Beehive beat the Grand 6-0 through goals by Jeff Dunn (2), Paul Richardson (2), Mark Pattinson and Adam Henderson.

Beehive boss Mike Hill said: "It was nice to get a win against our bogey team and local rivals. We havn't beaten them in four seasons, but it was a comfortable victory in the end against a team which unfortunately are struggling at the moment. However, it was played in the right spirit and both teams deserve credit for that."

Elsewhere, Lakeside beat Binchester Social Club 4-2 through goals by Marc De Lucia (2), Steve Hepples and James Alderson. Paul Sutton and Michael Tinkler scored for Binny.

Meanwhile, the Division Two title race tipped towards Horndale last week when Postchaise drew 0-0 at home to Green Tree. Current leaders Horndale won 2-1 at Shildon Athletic.

* The league's end-of-season presentation night will be held on Friday, June 6 at Old Shildon WMC. More details to follow in later reports.

The league would ask that anyone offered six red shirts with the logo "bearing traders" on should contact League Secretary Mike Hill urgently on 07773 925748.

Results round-up: Sunday, April 13: League Cup Semi-finals: Newton Aycliffe 1, Thorns 2; Victoria 1, Old Shildon 3 (aet).

Division One: Eldon Lane 1, Brandon 3; Lakeside 4, Binchester SC 2; Beehive 6, The Grand 0; Loves 3, Tudhoe Utd 1.

Division Two: Binchester Hotel 5, Boot & Shoe 4; Postchaise 0, Green Tree 0; Shildon Athletic 1, Horndale 2; Cumby Arms 4, Brawns Den 7; Eldon Arms 2, Masons Utd 0; North Briton 0, Two Blues 6.