GAPS have started to open at the top of the RJF Homes Beckett Football League after the leaders of both divisions stretched ahead.

Unbeaten Sinnington and Kirkdale United met in the division one battle of the day and it was Kirkdale who made the most of it with a narrow 4-3 win.

An Ashley Windrass brace put Kirkdale two in front at half time, with an own goal and Windrass' hat-trick strike making it four. But hosts Sinnington stormed back through Gary Mitchell, Paul Harland and David Wilkinson to run them close.

Aislaby United and Heslerton shared another seven-goal thriller, with United edging the decider to stay second. Lee Allardice, Adam Hornby, Simon King and Jason Hodgson settled the tie after William Mitchell sent in a first-half equaliser with second-half efforts from Chris Thornton and Alex Outhwaite further closing the gap.

Kirkbymoorside Reserves recovered from an eighth-minute Mike Lealman opener for Thornton-le-Dale to take all three points.

Rob McDermid levelled and then put the Moorsiders ahead, but an opportunist goal for Lealman squared it again until Sean Walker netted the winner for Kirkbymoorside.

A Steve Sailes header was all Black Swan Pickering needed to record a 1-0 win over Duncombe Park.

A second league win of the division two campaign over Old Malton Thirds was enough for Slingsby to stay top.

George Cooper fired Old Malton ahead but 15-year-old Martin Piercy levelled with a debut goal and teenager Paul Cook got the winner.

Ryedale Sports Club are hot on Slingsby's heels three points behind but with two games in hand and a far superior goal difference following a 11-2 epic at St Clement's WMC.

John Allcock scored twice for St Clement's but the Ryedale rout came care of four from Paul Lakin, a brace for John Sherwood and singles for Andy Rough, John Peel, Carl Morrison, Shaun Smith and sub Simon Rough.

The all-Norton derby ended in a first win for Union Rovers 2nds after Norton United Reserves took the lead inside 30 seconds. Sean Ellison equalised and Rob Sharratt got the winner.

Updated: 11:07 Tuesday, October 26, 2004