SURPRISE home defeats for Malton Bacon Factory and Huntington have left Dringhouses ten points clear at the top of the Leeper Hare York and District League premier division.

Dringhouses saw off Haxby United 3-1 to make the most of the defeats elsewhere. Craig McShane opened the scoring for Dringhouses, but they were pegged back when Mark Scoreby equalised after 75 minutes.

The only home win in the premier division was sealed with a Lee Bond free kick and a late goal from John Lake. It was the first time in 15 league games that Mark Woodward failed to score, but, if he scores against Kartiers, he will have netted against every premier division side in the league in one season.

Malton Bacon Factory suffered their first home defeat in nine games as they went down 2-1 at home to Bishopthorpe.

Old Malton made it nine away games without defeat as they beat Huntington 3-1.

Ben Richardson and Phil Hill put the Malton side in and the lead was extended further by Heath Brown, with Ian Dunne hitting a late consolation goal for Huntington.

Pocklington collected their first away points of the season as they beat T&L Selby 1-0, Richard Chlebo hitting the only goal of the game.

Kartiers, having lost their last three away games 1-0, managed to turn the scoreline round as they won 1-0 at Copmanthorpe.

The top three sides in division one all won 2-0.

Leaders Nestl Rowntree made it 11 wins on the trot as they beat New Earswick at home 2-0 in a colourful performance, with Matty White and Danny Gray on the scoresheet.

Nestl now need only six points from their remaining five games to ensure a quick return to the premier division.

Despite a half-time blizzard which at one time looked as though it might cause the game to be abandoned, second-placed York St John's College took all three points from their visit to Easingwold.

Chris Lees opened the scoring and the win was confirmed with a late penalty which was converted by Andrew Sherlock - his 22nd goal of the campaign.

Hamilton Panthers are the only side that can realistically catch the top two and they maintained their challenge with a 2-0 win at Wilberfoss. David Hyde got both goals, one in each half.

At the other end of the table, Selby RSSC earned their first point in nine games by drawing 2-2 with Post Office.

Andy Jones scored the first goal of the year for Selby when he put them in front but this was cancelled out with a fine header from Post Office, who then took the lead from a Wells penalty.

A 25-yard curler from midfielder Jayson Chalkley levelled the scores 12 minutes from time.

Stamford Bridge gained their first away victory in six attempts as they won 2-1 at Norwich Union.

Nick Rank and Dave Staniford put them in control before Matt Hilden pulled one back for Norwich Union.

Updated: 10:58 Monday, March 07, 2005