By Paul McGeary
Teenage midfielder Josh Knox masterminded Aycliffe's rousing victory over struglling Brandon on a very heavy Welfare Ground pitch.
The 18-year-old dynamo scored a wonder goal as his side swanned to a 4-1 victory which stretched their lead at the top of the Northern League's second division to four points after nearest rivals Guisborough Town lost at home to North Shields.
Just 65-seconds were on the clock when Allan Oliver's side had their first show on goal, top-scorer Warren Byrne sent Chase McMullen free inside the area but the winger came under a heavy challenge from 'keeper Andrew Wilkinson and the ball ricocheted over the crossbar.
Four minutes later and Byrne again posed a danger, as he smartly turned inside the area but narrowly fired over Wilkinson's bar as Aycliffe seized control on a pitch which was already cutting up after some torrential midweek rain.
Knox's first effort came in the 15th minute, but his rasping 25-yard drive deflected off Ian Pritchard and screwed wide of Wilkinson's left-hand upright, with the 'keeper well beaten. From the resultant corner, Stuart Owen found McMullen at the back post, who in turn squared the ball to the unmarked Mark Peck to turn home from the centre of the goal for the opener.
Knox got his goal in the 33rd minute. Byrne found the former under-18's skipper 30-yards out and having beaten two men, Knox steadied himself on the edge of the area to fire low post Wilkinson, into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Aycliffe added a third two minutes later when Byrne got the first of his brace. Peck's angled ball found McMullen in space at the back post. His cushioned header fell to Byrne preying on the penalty spot and in one swift turn, Byrne found the space to fire high into the roof of the net.
Knox blasted off the crossbar a minute later when Byrne squared to him 35-yards out as Aycliffe went for the jugular, not allowing their opponents the chance to breathe.
The second half was a more scappy affair, with the heavy pitch deteriorating making it hard for the visitors to execute their passing game. Brian Fairhurst went long as Aycliffe seeked a fourth and as McMullen chested his ranging punt into the path of Byrne, the former Shildon striker volleyed left-footed against Wilkinson's bar, the 'keeper claiming the slenderest of touches.
With 24-minutes remaining, the league leaders allowed their opponents a way back into the game as they failed to deal with a right-wing corner. As the ensuing melee unfolded inside the six-yard box, Owen appeared to handle Richard Mundell's goalbound effort. The referee however deemed the ball to have already crossed the line, and the goal was awarded as Owen remained on the field, when others were calling for a red card.
Just three minutes later and Aycliffe killed the game off with a counter attacking goal. Scott Pocklington released Anth Campbell who found Craig Mickle just inside his own half. The former Whitehill striker sent a lobbed through-ball to Byrne who strolled into the area and tucked the ball under Wilkinson to ease the nerves on the sideline.
With eight minutes left, substitute Dan Mellanby almost got his name on the scoresheet when Byrne laid the ball off to him. The 31-year-old fired strongly goalwards, but somehow Wilkinson got his hand to the former Darlington man's rocket and kept the ball out.
Owen stretched Wilkinson in injury time as Aycliffe searched for a fifth, but his right-footed effort was kept out by the 'keeper's fifth as the referee brought the game to an end.
And so, Aycliffe's four point gap at the top was confirmed, but probably of more significance is the 13-point cushion they have on the fourth-placed side, North Shields, sitting on the edge of the promotion places.
Star Man - Josh KNOX
Fellow goalscorers Mark Peck and Warren Byrne ran the teenager close with impressive displays once more but for his afternoon's work, Knox takes the spoils as he filled the void left by football league veteran Mark Tinkler with a performance that would have matched any midfield player in the league.

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