POCKLINGTON took a giant step towards retaining their Leeper Hare York and District League premier division title by defeating third-placed Malton Bacon Factory in Norton.

Nigel Allen opened the scoring when he put MBF in front after 20 minutes. Brent Terry equalised soon after the start of the second half and Kevin Goodwin struck Pocklington's winner on the hour mark.

Title rivals Dringhouses maintained their challenge with a 2-0 home win over Old Malton thanks to a goal in each half from Joe Gaughan. But they owed their win to an outstanding goalkeeping display by Mick Conlon.

Kartiers managed three points with a 1-0 home win over Nestl Rowntree. Neil Taylor grabbed the goal in the 20th minute.

Dunnington extinguished Osbaldwick;s lingering title pretensions by winning 4-2. Andy Rose and Ben Small struck for Dunnington in the first half with Steve Jackson replying for Osbaldwick. Small hit a second after the break and an Osbaldwick own goal sealed the win before Andy Triffitt managed one more for the home side.

Crayke maintained mid-table security with a 2-0 win over Rufforth. Both their goals came in the first half and were wind-assisted efforts scored direct from corners by Tim Jackson.

Wigginton Grasshoppers came away from Riccall with three points after coasting to a 5-2 win. Owen Willis, Tom Matthews and Jamie Smith struck in the first half and in the early stages of the second Smith bagged another and Tom Coates made it five. Riccall then had their goalkeeper sent off.

Peter Minto took advantage of hesitation in the Grasshoppers defence to head home and the same player was on hand to tap home a right wing cross with five minutes remaining for some consolation.

Matty Wain took time off from Selby Town to assist in Wigginton Black Horse's division one title campaign by scoring a hat-trick as they won 3-0 at St John's College.

Post Office were held at home by lowly Norwich Union. Alex Livie gave them the lead and when Mike Eals made it 2-0 early in the second half they looked home and dry.

But the Insurance men bounced back with a goal from Richard Hunter and James Hutt hit an equaliser ten minutes from time.

Haxby & Wigginton did well to take a point at Thorpe after taking the lead through Chris Dyson.

The home side were level a minute before the break when Shane Singleton scored from the penalty spot and although Thorpe enjoyed the majority of second half possession the strong wind contributed to a frustrating afternoon.

Fulford are still searching for their first league win after another defeat, this time by Copmanthorpe although they did take a 10th minute lead through Simon Bell.

Mark Flood equalised for Copmanthorpe before half-time and they went on to win with goals from Keiron Darlow and Terry Hibbert.

Civil Service gave Haxby Town a run for their money. Des Drummond scored the only goal of the first half for Haxby and added another after the break. Joe Michelli and Neil Hunter responded with goals for Civil Service only for Dave Thompson to hit Haxby's winner.

South Bank had to settle for a point at home to T& L Selby. The visitors took an early lead but Martin Cowl levelled and put South Bank in front only for the Selby side to grab a point with virtually the last kick of the game.

Division two games at Elvington and Church Fenton were lost to waterlogged pitches and in the remaining four matches only Stillington managed a win.

The beat LNER Builders 3-2 with Andrew Metcalfe scoring a goal in each half with Jim Inman adding the third. Tudor Carrington scored both goals for Builders.

Table toppers Stamford Bridge had to come from behind at home to Poppleton to take a point. The visitors went into the lead when Simon Hunt scored from the penalty spot after 15 minutes and Matt Graham struck another just after the half hour mark. Richard Hunter pulled one back for Stamford before half time and Nick Rank hit the equaliser after 75 minutes.

Second placed Hamilton Panthers went into the lead against improving Barmby Moor when Paul King hit a superb volley after only five minutes. Barmby levelled through a John Peacock penalty after 30 minutes but five minutes before the break King struck another from 20 yards to restore Panthers' lead. Tom Gibson claimed a deserved equaliser for Barmby.

Heslington surrendered a two goal lead and two valuable promotion points when they let visitors Easingwold back into the game in the second half.

Goals from Stuart Dickinson and John Thornton had put Heslington 2-0 ahead but Richard Jennison and Lewis Calder netted for Easingwold in the second half.

Wilberfoss abandoned their waterlogged home pitch to play their division three game against Amotherby at the Civil Service ground in York and were rewarded with a win against one of their title rivals thanks to goals from Ollie Newby and Richard Tinson.

Steve O'Mahoney, Gordon Campbell, Paul Stevenson and Andrew Jones netted the goals which kept Selby RSSC in the title hunt as they triumphed 4-2 against Hemingbrough. Strensall remain on the fringe of the promotion pack after a 2-1 home win over Sheriff Hutton with goals from Chris Graham and Mick Pipe.

York RI took the lead at Wheldrake but strikes from Andy Smye and Nick Henshaw put the home side into the lead before RI took a point with a penalty.

Full-back Mark Hancy scored twice for Heworth and Tom Quinn hit the third as Heworth triumphed 3-2 at home to Norton. Stuart Ellis and Dean Readman were on target for the visitors.

Rawcliffe Rangers were denied a point when Marton cum Grafton won 2-1 and grabbed the winning goal two minutes from time. Glen Phillips was the Rangers marksman.

Updated: 12:51 Monday, January 27, 2003