Sheriff Hutton's reign at the top of the Leeper Hare York and District League third division is seriously threatened after they went down to their third defeat on the trot.

Moor Lane were the latest side to take the points as they won 2-1 with goals from Charlie Goodwin and Paul Jones. It could have been worse for the table-toppers as their goalkeeper saved a second-half penalty.

With the Wilberfoss v Poppleton game falling foul of the weather, LNER Builders took advantage and moved into second place with a 4-1 win over Wheldrake. Andy Sykes opened the scoring for Builders on the half hour and an own goal put them two up by the break.

Wheldrake got back into the game in the 75th minute but minutes later Sykes restored the Builders' two-goal lead and completed his hat-trick in injury time.

Most of the teams in Reserve 'A' were involved in League Cup action. The only league game of the day took place at Wigginton where Black Horse won the derby against Haxby 2-0 with goals from Neil Newton and Julian Senior.

In Reserve 'B' Poppleton travelled to Civil Service and managed a point from a 2-2 draw.

Dave Bailey gave them the lead after only five minutes but goals from Ian Beavis and John Draper swung the game to Civil Service by half time. Noel Edwards earned the point for Poppleton with an equaliser 15 minutes from the final whistle.

A Kevin Sayce goal was all that separated Heslington and LNER Builders at half time in their Reserve 'C' clash and 15 minutes from time Sean Smith looked to have earned a point for Builders when he levelled.

The Builders are making a habit of losing concentration late in games and for the third week running they went down by conceding goals in the last ten minutes with Sayce netting his second and Steve Burns making it 3-1.

All the Reserve Cup third round ties went the way of the formbook with Malton Bacon Factory hitting seven past Moor Lane to record the highest score of the day. Chris Bell bagged a hat trick, Dave Burley netted twice and there was a goal apiece for Lee Rudd and Steve Mills.

Three goals from Wayne Coulthard and one from Glen Littlewood saw Kartiers comfortably into the next round at the expense of a weakened Pocklington side.

A James Pringle penalty was all Wigginton Grasshoppers could muster as they went down 3-1 at home to Dringhouses.

Barmby Moor almost pulled off the shock of the round as they were leading Reserve 'A' side New Earswick by a Tom Forth first half goal until the 70th minute when a Chris Smith equaliser sent the game into extra time.

Andy Dolan hit the winner for New Earswick.

The Old Malton v St John's College tie was decided on penalties. Andrew Stevens gave The Students the lead just before half time but a Nathan Milner goal sent the game into extra time before Old Malton won shoot-out 4-2. Dunnington progressed comfortably into the next round as goals from Ben Small, Mike Noble, Steve Wain and Neil Martin gave them a 4-1 win at Nestl Rowntree.

Updated: 11:57 Tuesday, January 29, 2002