The fat-lady is clearing her throat as the Division One championship race is almost certainly over after Coundon Foresters won their 16th league game of the season.

They remain 11 points clear at the top of the table with only 15 points available to second-placed Newton Aycliffe Sports Club.

The Foresters' victims this week were Shuttle & Loom and, despite being under-par, the hosts still managed to take the lead within the opening 15 minutes as Darren Wilson combined well with Lee Ellison before nodding the ball past the despairing Shuttle keeper.

Top-scorer Ellison then missed a penalty as Coundon threatened to run riot, but the Shuttle packed their defence as they tried to hit their hosts on the counter-attack. However, with the visitors unable to create many chances, champions-elect Coundon continued to turn the screw, and eventually their pressure was rewarded as Wilson tapped home his second of the game from close range to give Coundon a 2-0 victory.

Elsewhere, Newton Aycliffe SC took advantage of East End WMC not having a game as they moved into second place with a 5-1 victory over Bishop Auckland Cricket Club, whilst Nestfield Club moved within three points of the EastEnders with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Spraire RA. It was a nervy victory for Nestfield, however, as Andrew Blenkhorn's opportunist first half strike gave Spraire a 1-0 lead at half time. Nestfield's fine football was rewarded soon after the interval however, as top-scorer Gary Mitchell levelled matters and then Mitchell was on hand to seal the host's victory as he took a fine pass on the edge of the Spraire box and beat three men on his way to goal before he was crudely brought down for a penalty. Mitchell dusted himself down and converted the spot kick and as much as Spraire huffed and puffed to get back into the game the Nestfield back-line held firm as they hung on for the victory.

Turning attention to the bottom of the table, an under-strength Northern Echo side were left three points adrift at the bottom of the table as they were mauled 8-0 by fellow strugglers Brinkburn. A Scott Bowler hat-trick set the Brinkburn on their way as they continue to fight for their league survival, and Stuart Alderson (2), Ste Appleby (2) and James Broooks all notched to virtually seal the Echo's relegation from the top-flight for the first time in their history as they are now nine points adrift of safety with only four games remaining.

The remaining game also affects the relegation issue, as Central WMC are sat just six points above the drop zone with only one game left to play following their 6-2 defeat against mid-table Hurworth Albion. Darren Tate notched a hat-trick for the Albion whilst James Edwards (2) and Simon Middlemiss also got on the scoresheet. Tony Stafford notched both of the goals for a Central side who must be looking nervously over their shoulder as the Brinkburn continue to pick up points.

In Division Two, All Stars maintained their 12-point lead at the top of the table, clinching promotion to the top flight in the process, with a 9-1 victory over a Green Dragon side that have shown a drastic improvement in form over recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Killinghall Arms remain unbeaten with six games in hand in second place following a convincing 6-1 victory over Yates Wine Lodge. Matt Waistell notched the Lodgers' goal, but the Killy looked capable of scoring many more than their six, with Mike Smith and Neil Mathias both bagging a brace to add to Michael Laxton's goal. However, the goal of the game came from Danny Fleary who skipped past two Yates' defenders before blasting the ball into the top corner of the net to seal victory.

Elsewhere, AFC Orange remain third following a 2-0 victory over relegation-haunted Canney Hill. Man of the match Chris Wardell ran the show for Orange who had Steven Charlton and Mark Finn to thank for two first half goals, but they had to dig in and defend stoutly in the second half as Canney Hill applied all the pressure but failed to turn it into goals.

Elsewhere, Bishop Auckland Derby move up into fourth place above Copper Beech DCS who they beat 3-1 at the weekend, despite a goal from Jeff Coates for DCS.

Bottom of the table Sadberge DL are still looking for divine inspiration in their quest for survival, but their was no salvation on Sunday as they were soundly thumped 7-1 by a Jack Horners side that now seem to be safe from the threat of the drop.

In the other remaining second division game, goals from Trevor Cooke, Andrew Lovegreen and Mick Meredith gave Royal British Legion a 3-1 victory over a Grey Horse side who had Mark Carter to thank for their goal.

In Division Three, Peppers Draughting Services completed their promotion to Division Two despite still having seven league games to play as they beat the Falchion 19-0, whilst Hope Inn are on course to stroll to promotion as their 7-2 victory over AFC Aruba leaves them a comfortable 17 points clear of the pack chasing the top five promotion spots.

FR Aviation, meanwhile, survived a scare as they trailed 1-0 to the Royal Oak thanks to a fine Simon York header, which was certainly a just reward for the way they took the game to the Aviators. However, a ten minute spell early in the second half saw Paul Freary score two fine goals as the Oak seemed to lose their concentration to allow the Aviators to pick up a 2-1 victory that keeps them flying high in the table.

Middleton St George Cricket Club's promotion drive slowed at the weekend as midtable Haughton BAT held them to a 1-1 draw. Andy Macleod fired a warning shot to MSG early in the game as he produced a fine shot that was equalled with a good save from MSG keeper James Briggs, but the half ended goalless as both sides failed to take the few opportunities that fell their way. The second half continued in much the same vain as both teams cancelled each other out before Karl Lockwood broke clear to score for Haughton. Haughton then started a spell of sustained pressure as they pushed MSG onto the back-foot, but they were unable to get a second goal to kill the game off, and with five minutes remaining MSG evened things up as Shaun Hoy smashed a free-kick through the Haughton wall and beneath Paul Colman in the Haughton goal to salvage a point.

Elsewhere, Pizza Perfekt racked up an 8-3 victory over close rivals Drinkfield United in an entertaining tie at Branksome School. Meanwhile, Smith & Allan's acting manager, Dave Collinge, will be praying for the end of the season as his side once more crashed to a resounding defeat against Emcor. A penalty in the opening five minutes didn't help matters for Smith & Allan, and it lead to an Emcor onslaught with goals from Stu Fawcett (3), John Hughes (4), Nigel Ray, Mark Spence, Darren Scott and Sunny Ghag sealed an 11-0 victory to the away side.

In the remaining games, goals either side of half time from Roy Applegarth and Gary Barker gave Sherwoods a 2-0 victory over Cricketers, with Sherwoods keeper Phil McPherson producing some excellent saves to ensure that they kept their first clean sheet of the season.

Meanwhile, AXA Insurance ran out 1-0 victors over Newton Cap thanks to a late Andy Roote goal. The hosts have started to drop out of the promotion picture in recent weeks following a run of poor results, but they got back to winning ways against a vastly improved Newton Cap side who are a much different proposition to the outfit that didn't manage a point until January. The Cap certainly began the game in confident fashion as both sides attacked at every opportunity in a goalless first half, but the second half saw AXA start to take advantage as they gained the upper hand. Still the Cap plugged away, and they very nearly took the lead when a fine free kick from Shaun Hunter clipped the top of the bar, as the game appeared to be heading for a 0-0 draw.

However, excellent work on the right from AXA debutante, Lee Hall, resulted in a Craig Stoddart volley being spilled under pressure by the Cap keeper, with the ball falling to the feet of Roote who sealed matters with only six minutes remaining.