DEVASTATING goal bursts in each half stunned Victoria SC as league leaders Coniston ran out 12-1 winners.

Coniston boosted their goal tally by scoring six in a 20-minute spell during the first half and five in a similar period midway through the second.

Vics, who struggled to field two teams (the Reserves lost 8-0) were hardly in the game and Coniston's marksmen were Glen Todd and Dan Cooper with three apiece, Peter Blair (2), Paul Walker, Stuart Walker, John Kirkbride and Tim Fletcher.

The defeat drops Vics into the relegation zone.

Reduced to 10 men after 20 minutes Kendal County still managed to hold Wetheriggs United to a 1-1 draw, a result which did neither of the championship challengers any favours.

After an even start with fast-flowing football from two of the league's strongest sides, County captain Paul Grattan was red-carded for kicking out at a Wetheriggs player in reaction to a foul on him.

Despite that, County took the lead minutes afterwards with a blast from Ollie Wilson.

In the second half it was backs to the wall for County as Wetheriggs subjected them to a barrage of long-range kicks into the box.

Goalkeeper Nick Dent was outstanding, but was finally beaten when one of Wetheriggs' big front runners out-jumped the keeper and nodded the ball down for his strike partner to finish off.

The two sides meet again tomorrow at County's ground in a match that could have a major impact on the outcome of the First Division Championship.

Wetheriggs have five games in hand over leaders Coniston, but are 13 points adrift and, with a vastly inferior goal difference, the Penrith-based side cannot afford to drop many more points.

Kendal Town Res entertained Windermere and resolute defending from the away side limited Town Reserves to three or four long-range efforts as the first half ended goalless.

The second half followed the same pattern, but as the game progressed chances started to appear.

Attacking down the wing for Windermere Jim Crawford put over a perfect cross and Andy Ford's powerful header forced an excellent save from Parkin in the Kendal goal.

Town made some changes on 65 minutes, young striker Lee McNeill coming on and immediately starting to make inroads into the Windermere defence.

It was the introduction of Adam Towler in midfield that caused Windermere the most problems, however, and on 85 minutes the ball broke to hard-working David Glynn who hit a tremendous 25-yard shot into the top corner of the Windermere net.

Windermere never gave up, but the determined Kendal side took the points from the 1-0 victory.

With a number of senior players out Sedbergh turned to youth to secure a much-needed 4-1 victory over Penrith Reserves.

It was not long before Sedbergh turned their dominance into goals, Mark Carradus providing the first two.

First, he pulled back for Craig Barnes to smash in after good work down the right, and then gave a neat lay-off to Matt Parkin who finished at the second attempt.

Martin Cairns added Sedbergh's third from the penalty spot before Craig Moffat drove through the Penrith defence to secure a fourth.

Penrith then scored a late consolation goal.

Ambleside and Keswick, two teams on the fringe of the relegation zone, battled out a 1-1 draw. Keswick had much the better of the first half and created three good chances, but failed to convert any of them.

In the second half Ambleside were the stronger of the two sides, but went behind when a cross into the centre was headed in for an own goal by Dan Nevinson. Ironically the youngster then went on to win the Man of the Match award.

Ambleside equalised mid-way through the half when a long ball into the box was met by a right foot shot into the top of the net by John Banks, the team's top scorer.

Staveley United picked up three useful points with a fairly routine victory over bottom club Lunesdale United. Ben Daniels scored twice, once from a deflection and the other straight from a free-kick, and Will Gunning hammered in another to give the home side a 3-0 lead. With the game won they eased up and Lunesdale scored, but never looked like getting back on terms.

Results: Division One: Ambleside United 1, Keswick 1; Appleby v Carleton Rovers (postponed); Coniston 12, Victoria SC 1; Kendal Town Reserves 1, Windermere SC 0; Penrith Reserves 1, Sedbergh Wanderers 4; Staveley United 3, Lunesdale United 1; Wetheriggs United 1, Kendal County 1.

Division Two: Carvetii United v Greystoke (postponed); Keswick Reserves 0, Penrith Rangers 6.

Mason & Freeman Cup, second round: Dent 1, Burneside 6; Ibis 5, Shap United 0; Kendal County Reserves 1, Endmoor KGR 3; Ullswater United 0, Wetheriggs United Reserves 8.

Division Three: Carleton Rovers Reserves 2, Braithwaite 2; Greystoke Reserves 4, Grasmere 1; Wetheriggs United A 2, Coniston Reserves 3.

Peter Daws Shield, first round: Burneside Reserves 3, Kendal Celtic 2; Windermere SC Reserves 1, Ambleside United Reserves 0.

Division Four: Endmoor KGR Reserves 1, Dent Reserves 0; Kendal Celtic Reserves 1, Penrith Academy 4; Lunesdale United Reserves 2, Staveley United Reserves 3; Sedbergh Wanderers Reserves 10, Windermere SC A 1; Victoria SC Reserves 0, Northbank Carlisle Reserves 8.