Gallant Yorkshire Herald now have to play a game of patience before discovering if they have retained their John Smith's York Sunday Morning League first division crown.

A single-goal win over Volunteers - James Backhouse remaining ice-cool to drill in a 75th-minute penalty - put Herald on top of the table for the first time this season after their last game of the term.

Herald's advantage over Wigginton Black Horse is purely on goal difference.

But the turn of events in which Herald had also toppled New Earswick 4-2 while Wigginton went down 3-2 at Volunteers has placed crucial emphasis on Wigginton's final game at home to Hounds next Wednesday.

A point from that match will secure the title. Defeat would mean a second successive championship for Herald.

Severus WMC moved into third position after four successive victories in seven days over Nestl Rowntree 6-0, Barkway scoring four, New Earswick 2-1, Acomb WMC 3-0 and finally Derwent United 2-0. Zafs condemned Derwent United to second division football by beating them 4-3, with goals from Carter (2), Ratcliffe and Bradley, and then defeating Middleton Celtic 4-1.

Marcia convincingly won the division two title with free-scoring victories over Copmanthorpe 6-0 in midweek, Kieran O'Brien hitting a hat-trick, and then 8-0 against Riccall at the weekend.

Pack of Cards were also promoted but had to settle for a point in their final game with a 1-1 draw against Shipton, Neil Ducey once again on target.

Carlton completed their season with consecutive victories, 6-3 at Shipton and 4-3 at Derwent Arms with John Jeffrey scoring twice. Copmanthorpe will be glad to see the back of this season after a final 5-0 defeat at the hands of Jubilee left them eight points adrift at the bottom.

Pocklington, having already won division three, suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Selby Olympia, who now join them in division two next season.

Blacksmiths Arms, hoping for Selby to slip up, ended their season with a 4-0 win at Shape Shop, who avoided rele-gation by beating BH Colts 3-2 at home.

Wilberfoss await their fate after a comprehensive 10-2 defeat by Acomb Sports Club.

Mark O'Donnell ensured Nestl Flag ended their season on a winning note with all three goals in his side's 3-1 win over Bishopthorpe.

Beeswing lost 2-1 at Raskelf Rovers but could still celebrate promotion from division four after Cygnet were held to a 1-1 draw by Acomb Celtic.

Cygnet rounded off the season in style by defeating champions Thorpe United 5-2 with a hat-trick from Lee Jarvis and two goals from Mark Henderson.

Division five champions York Nomads confirmed their superiority by defeating promotion-chasing Copmanthorpe Reserves 4-2. Cockland (2), Shaw and Neads scored for Nomads with Gaz Purdey and Dave Robinson replying for Copmanthorpe.

With Middleton Celtic Reserves resigning from the league the battle for the second promotion spot is still wide open. Volunteer Reserves completed their season as runaway winners of division six with a 6-0 demolition of runners-up Opticare. A single goal from Gardner was enough to give Greyhound a 1-0 win at Wanderers.

Updated: 11:45 Friday, May 04, 2001