POCKLINGTON now need two wins from their last three games to retain the Leeper Hare York and District League premier division title.

But Pock left it late before overcoming the determined challenge of Osbaldwick 2-0.

After a blank first half, it was Osbaldwick who did most of the attacking and Carl Silburn in the Pocklington goal had to make two great saves before Neil Wilford broke the deadlock with a 65th-minute free-kick.

Ten minutes later the Osbaldwick 'keeper managed to parry a Richard Millett shot, but the ball rebounded to Brent Terry who tapped it home from five yards and the points were on their way to Pocklington.

Dringhouses ensured that the championship race will go all the way after they beat third-placed Malton Bacon Factory 3-1.

The early stages of the game was a stop-start affair as players from both teams needed treatment with Dringhouses losing their influential centre-back Mick Lock after only 15 minutes with a head injury.

Almost straight from the restart the home side were caught out when a high bouncing ball evaded the defenders and Darryl Craggs pounced to put Factory ahead.

Dringhouses responded positively and began to create chances but they went begging until five minutes before the break when Mark Woodward levelled the scores.

The second-half started with end to end play but once again Dringhouses began to steadily take control and on the hour mark a right wing cross found the head of Joe Gaughan and he netted from six yards, giving the 'keeper no chance.

Fifteen minutes later Craig Atkinson struck a shot from the edge of the box and although the 'keeper managed to get a hand to it, the ball trickled over the line to make the points safe for Dringhouses.

Crayke will be looking anxiously at the foot of the table after a 3-0 defeat at Kartiers.

Crayke have just two games left and neither offer any comfort - away to Osbaldwick and home to Pocklington.

Andy Woodall launched a throw in towards the Crayke box, which Andy Richardson flicked on for Mark Lucas to head home the first goal.

Just before half-time, Neil Taylor was presented the second goal in a defensive mix up and ten minutes from time Danny Hewitt supplied the pass for Paul Taylor to grab the third.

Nestl Rowntree had to settle for a valuable point in their home game with York FA Cup finalists Wigginton Grasshoppers.

Both teams had chances but the game finished 0-0.

In contrast, seven goals were registered at Bishopthorpe where Dunnington's nap-hand set them on their way.

Chris Burgess opened Dunnington's account and Andy Rose then bagged four as the visitors took a 5-0 lead before two goals late in the game from Paul Broadbent and Darren Miles restored some respectability to the home ranks.

Old Malton helped themselves to six at Riccall - Dave Bradshaw claimed a hat-trick, with Phil Hill, Ryan McGinty, and Paul Boyes credited with one apiece.

Dean Westwood claimed a consolation goal for relegated Riccall.

A first half goal from Andy Price was all that separated division one table-toppers Wigginton Black Horse from relegation threatened Civil Service.

Second-placed T&L Selby won by the same margin at Haxby.

Copmanthorpe were more convincing winners at home to Norwich Union where a Mark Gregory hat-trick and one from Terry Hibbert produced a 4-0 win.

Post Office bounced back from last week's defeat to record a 2-0 win at home to Haxby & Wigginton.

The game was scoreless until the hour mark when Post Office took the lead with a bizarre own goal.

Richard Dalby broke clear but his shot struck a post and rebounded back, hitting a retreating defender on the knee and cannoning into the net from 18 yards out.

Dalby made sure of the points when he struck the second in more conventional fashion ten minutes later.

Matthew Evans struck the only goal of the game for St John's College as they entertained New Earswick to give the students three valuable points in the bottom half of the table.

In mid-table, two sides who have not fulfilled their potential in this campaign, Thorpe and South Bank, produced a scoreless draw.

Hamilton Panthers continued their chase of Stamford Bridge at the top of division two and at the same time increased LNER Builders' worries at the other end of the table.

Paul King netted twice and Jon Beech scored the third to put Panthers firmly in control at the break.

In the second half, only a superb display by Paul Green in the Builders' goal separated them from a real hiding as they suffered a hangover from their midweek cup semi-final win.

Steve Smith did manage to pull a goal back, but their relief was short lived as King rounded off his hat-trick.

Elvington were another team out of sorts and they went down to defeat at Poppleton.

Seventeen-year-old James Barratt was made Poppleton captain for the day and he led from the front with two goals.

Veteran Chris Johnson followed up with a brace to give the home side a 4-2 win. Luke Dove and Giles Brighton struck for the Harriers.

White Horse have not given up on the fight to avoid relegation and they did themselves no harm with a 4-1 home win over Heslington.

Scott Griffiths bagged three and Terry Brady one with Nick Jackson responding for the visitors.

Huby will be looking anxiously over their shoulders as a derby defeat by Stillington leaves them perilously close to the drop zone.

Huby were leading 2-1 at the break with goals from John and Martin Durrant.

A goal from John Anderson kept Stillington in touch and Dave McCafferty produced two second half strikes to win the game.

Easingwold are another side threatened with relegation who produced the goods when it mattered.

After falling behind to an early goal from Ouseburn & Hammerton they equalised through Ian Hardisty and went on to win 3-1 with a Gary Raper strike and another from Hardisty.

Updated: 12:02 Monday, April 07, 2003