DRINGHOUSES trimmed unbeaten Pocklington Town's lead at the top of the York Leeper Hare Football League premier division to one point with a convincing 4-1 home win over Kartiers.

The title contenders made a great start, Craig McShane scoring after just five minutes. Andy Barkway doubled the advantage before half-time.

After Kartiers goalkeeper Ross saved a second-half penalty Barkway added his second goal before the Selby side reduced the arrears when Simon Brown touched home a cross.

Kartiers improved after that but their fate was sealed when one of their players put through his own goal.

Old Malton had a field day at Riccall with the Rydedale side winning 7-0 thanks to goals by Simon Cook (2), Neil Wilford, Phil Hill, Mickey Drew and Steve Boyd.

Boroughbridge dropped a couple of points when they were held 3-3 by Rowntrees whose Joe Gaughan continued his hot form with a hat-trick.

Les Gray and Ullie Uffidel (2) were on target for ''Bridge. Rowntrees' cause was not helped by an injury to defender Mark Smythe.

Bottom club New Earswick put up a brave fight at Dunnington before going down 2-1.

Earswick had already gone close with an effort which scraped the bar before Keith Simpson put them ahead.

Dunnington rallied to equalise through Andy Rose, who went on to net the winner.

Bishopthorpe won a scrappy match at Wigginton Grasshoppers with goals by Chris Smith and Tony Wegelius.

Improving Rufforth won 4-3 at Crayke to virtually end their relegation worries.

Goals by Mark Hutchinson and Simon Wilson put Crayke ahead after Pete Powell gave the visitors the lead.

Powell equalised with his second goal and Rufforth surged ahead with strikes by Jim Collins and Davy Boddin. Darren Cooper's header gave Crayke hope of a point by Rufforth hung on for a vital victory.

Sheriff Hutton were without a game but remain top of division three after four rivals missed the opportunity to displace them.

Selby RSSC were held to a 2-2 draw at Wheldrake whose Adrian Ogden and Nick Henshaw were on target before an own goal let the Railway Club back into the game.

Elvington Harriers would have jumped five places up the table had they won at LNER Builders but a 30th minute goal from Jamie Williams created by Jon Dean and Mick Rollinson was enough for a Builders victory.

Poppleton also missed the chance to go top after going down 3-0 at home to rapidly improving Strensall whose goals came from Mick Pipe, Tony Jefferson and Nigel Lyle.

Wilberfoss snatched a home point with a disputed last minute penalty from Paul Umpleby against Moor Lane. Johnathan Parkin had given Wilberfoss a first half lead but goals from Charlie Goodwin and Paul Jones put Moor in front until the controversial finale.

Hemingbrough won the basement battle against Marton cum Grafton with goals from Mark Pearson, Ian Golden and Matthew Williams.

Updated: 11:59 Monday, February 18, 2002