Acomb were beaten 5-3 at home by Harrogate II, who are six points ahead of the top of division one of the Yorkshire League.

Harrogate took the lead from a quick break after a fine solo run from an Harrogate midfielder.

He ghosted past two tackles and slipped the ball to his forward to sweep the ball into the empty net.

Peter Hilton should have equalised but pulled his shot wide.

Acomb did draw level after a quick break, Nick Linfoot's shot put in by Dave Richardson.

Soon after the visitors regained the lead after the umpire failed to spot an infringement on an Acomb player.

Just before half-time Harrogate extended their lead despite Stuart Baxter and David Bell working hard in defence to hold the Harrogate attacks as Acomb pushed for goals.

Richardson grabbed his second and Linfoot scored his third in second weeks.

Harrogate had two men yellow-carded late in the game but held on for a 5-3 victory.

In an important game in the league, ACOMB II increased their promotion hopes with a 4-2 win over fellow challengers Wakefield V.

In a hard-fought game, Bill Heywood in goal for Acomb made several saves to keep Acomb in with a chance.

Goals from Chris Foster and Ian Roberton sealed a 4-2 win, but they had to work hard against the Wakefeld team.

Updated: 14:22 Tuesday, January 22, 2002