Nestl Rowntree continued their move into mid-table security in the premier division of Leeper Hare York and District League with a 2-0 win over visitors Kartiers.

The Selby side produced the early pressure but Rowntree opened the scoring when Pat Gaughan set up a chance for his brother Joe to chip the ball over the Kartiers 'keeper.

With defences on top chances were at a premium. Darryl Blake, pressed into service as an emergency goalkeeper for Rowntree, foiled Kartiers on several occasions in the second half before Sean Empson crossed for Steve Blake to net number two for Rowntree in the 65th minute.

Bottom team New Earswick lost 1-0 at home to second-from-bottom Riccall. The deadlock was broken in the 70th minute when Stuart Ross scored with a shot from the edge of the box.

Substitute Malcolm Pepper scored in the last minute to give Dunnington a 2-1 win at Rufforth. Chris Burgess put Dunnington ahead from the penalty spot after ten minutes and Pete Powell equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

Malton Bacon Factory have one hand on the division one trophy after defeating second-placed Post Office 3-2.

The Postmen led at half-time after a John Bonarious shot had been deflected into the net by team-mate Richard Dalby.

Simon Collins equalised early in the second half and soon afterwards Mark Hakins put the Factory side ahead. Dalby equalised for the Postmen in the 70th minute but, with only eight minutes remaining, Tommy Oxtoby scored the winner for the hosts.

Haxby eased their relegation worries with a 2-1 win at home to bottom team Huby. John Durrant put Huby ahead five minutes into the second half but Huby hit back with two goals from Gavin Scoreby.

Wigginton Black Horse lost 2-1 at Hammerton. Stuart Ramsey gave the home side the lead five minutes before the break. Simon Fisher eqialised from the penalty spot midway through the second half. Richard Dwight hit the winner for Hammerton near the end.

Norwich Union are not yet safe from the threat of relegation after another defeat, this time 2-1 at St John's College, but the insurancemen have a game in hand over their rivals. Stephen Jones and John Bygroves put St John's 2-0 up in the first half and Richard Hunter replied in the second half.

Updated: 11:54 Monday, March 25, 2002