ALL the Leeper Hare York and District League premier division title contenders - Dringhouses, Pocklington and Malton Bacon Factory - managed wins on Easter Saturday.

Bacon Factory romped to a 7-1 win at Wigginton Black Horse thanks to goals from Paul Nock (2), Nick Drew (2), Paddy Mancrief, Nigel Allen and a Darryl Craggs penalty.

Pocklington had a much closer encounter in Selby where they managed a 1-0 win against Kartiers with a 35th minute goal from James Rudd, who followed up a Graham Whitehead shot which the goalkeeper failed to hold.

Goals by Craig McShane and Lee Atkinson gave Dringhouses a 2-0 win at Dunnington who are now safe from relegation following their mid-week win at Copmanthorpe.

Three teams are contesting the two relegation places and Nestl Rowntree gave themselves hope with a 2-0 home win against Wigginton Grasshoppers. Eddie Phillips opened the scoring and a defensive mistake let in Jamie Vine for the second.

The win takes 'Trees off the foot of the table for the first time since September last year. That place is now occupied by Bishopthorpe who went down 6-3 at Osbaldwick. Paul Crangle netted four for the home side, with Neil Richardson and Richard Burnett adding the others.

Rufforth fielded a weakened side at Old Malton and lost 3-1 to goals by Steve Boyd, Paul Milner and Phil Hill. Rufforth's Chris Carrick struck the goal of the game as a consolation.

Tate & Lyle warmed up for Tuesday's Cup semi-final against Wigginton Grasshoppers with a 3-2 home win against Huntington. The Selby side went three up through Chris Harkin and Steve Rowbottom (2) before Iain Dunn and Graham MacDonald responded for Huntington.

Goals from Chris Smith (2), Ryan Watson, Shane Singleton and Gavin Clamp gave division one leaders Thorpe United a 5-1 win at Crayke and need three points from their final two games to clinch the title.

Closest challengers Haxby United won 5-0 at home to Riccall. Mark Scoreby turned in a match winning performance and three goals with Richard Iggulden and Ben Drummond adding one each.

Hamilton Panthers, in second place with two games remaining, are hoping that Haxby slip up in their remaining five games. They travelled to Stamford Bridge and won 3-2. The home side scored first through Nick Rank but Jamie Moore equalised and Simon Marshal put Panthers in the lead. James Anderson made it 3-1 before Rank reduced the arrears in the last minute.

St John's College could have a say in the promotion places after winning a high scoring game 9-4 at home to South Bank. The sides were locked at 2-2 at half time but Bank suffered a spectacular second half collapse. Owen Jones claimed five goals for the students, Mick Horsfield netted twice and Harry Bryan and Ci Connell grabbed one each. John Dale (2), Mitchell Dixon and Nick Shaw were on target for South Bank.

With Easingwold already crowned division two champions the attention is on the battle for the second promotion spot.

With Wilberfoss being held to a 0-0 draw by Huby it is Selby RSSC who look the most likely to claim that prize. They managed a 2-1 win at relegation-threatened Moor Lane.

Andy Jones's goal for Selby was cancelled out by substitute Ben Overton but Steve O'Mahoney grabbed RSSC's winner ten minutes from time.

Heslington are in with a chance after goals from Simon Musgrave, Andy Gray and Darren Brandon gave them a 3-2 home win over Stillington.

Elvington and Barmby Moor served up a dire 0-0 mid-table draw and at the bottom, Huby's point keeps them clear of the relegation places.

Poppleton were the only team in trouble to win, beating Fulford 3-2 thanks to an 85th minute winner by Craig Theaker. Earlier an own goal and Ben Lister strike had put Pop 2-0 up but Andy Saxon headed Fulford back in contention and Glen Featherstone scored from the penalty spot to level before Theaker's late winner.

Runaway third division leaders Tockwith, maintained their 100 per cent record and now only need two more wins from their remaining five games to be certain of the title.

Full-back Adam Cummings scored the only goal in the victory over Sheriff Hutton. Strensall kept up their promotion hopes with a 3-0 win over Hemingbrough with Mick Pipe, Lee Lyons and Nigel Lyle on target.

Amotherby won by the same margin at Wheldrake and are still favourites for the second promotion spot. Their marksmen were Sam Thackray and Matty Biggins (2).

Darren Scott scored from the penalty spot to put LNER Builders into the lead at Norton United but the home side went on to win with goals from John Dutton, Simon Rowley and Chris Seager.

York RI and Heworth drew 2-2 with Paul Brackson and Jamie Allerton netting for Heworth while Nick Hutchinson and Neil Hinde responded for RI.

Updated: 10:27 Monday, April 12, 2004