DUNNINGTON took a huge step towards retaining their York Minster Engineering Football League reserve ‘A’ title with a 2-2 draw against Wigginton Grasshoppers.
The defending champions, unbeaten since September 2011 when they lost 2-1 to Wigginton, led through goals from Rob Hart and Dan Hall.
Wigginton, who head the table but have played eight games more than Dunnington, salvaged a point with two late strikes.
Second-half goals from Danny Clipson and Neil Ducey ensured Dringhouses extended their unbeaten home run to four games as they beat Huntington Rovers 2-0.
Reserve ‘B’ leaders Church Fenton White Horse were without a fixture but the two sides immediately below them missed out on the chance to close the gap.
Second-placed Easingwold hit three late goals to snatch a 3-3 draw with Fulford United, who are third in the table.
Goals from Marcus Worsley, Steve Cooper and Lee McArdle looked to have set up Fulford’s fourth straight away win, but they had to settle for their first draw in 19 matches as two goals from Andrew Metcalfe junior and one from Gary Raper earned Easingwold a share of the points.
Russ Turnball and Rob Evans scored for Aviva as they beat York St John 2-0, while a second-half brace from Ash Newton coupled with a Mike Stacey goal earned Pocklington a 3-0 win over Heslington.
Joe Smith and Josh Derry were on target as Tadcaster Magnets claimed their first win in nine, defeating Bishopthorpe 2-1.
The first promotion issue of the season has been decided as defeats for Selby RSSC and Stamford Bridge, coupled with a Malton & Norton victory, confirmed reserve ‘C’ promotion for the Ryedale side.
Malton & Norton, who were relegated from reserve ‘B’ last season, maintained their unbeaten run for the season with a 4-0 home win over Tockwith.
A Nigel Allen free-kick gave them the lead before Ed Marwood was gifted a simple tap-in to double their advantage just before the break.
Steve Hoggard and Adam Cooke bagged in the second half for Malton.
Second-placed Selby RSSC suffered their first defeat in eight at the hands of Hemingbrough, a side they beat seven days earlier.
Ryan Willis put the Selby side in front before goals either side of the interval, from Mike Young and Liam Gaughtry, put the villagers in front. An own goal restored parity but Ricky Hutton hit a late winner for Hemingbrough.
Stamford Bridge’s promotion hopes took a jolt as they lost 3-2 at Rowntrees.
The hosts netted in the first and last minute of the first half through Kev Butler and Shaun Stewart, while Dale Phillips added a third on the hour as Rowntrees moved into third place. Ben Malthouse and Gareth Owen replied for the visitors.
Strensall won the battle of the basement sides as they beat Wilberfoss 4-1 with goals from John Cooper, Dan Morrison, Lewis Knox and Brain Walmsley. Gaz Brookes hit the ’Foss consolation.
Civil Service are the new leaders of reserve ‘D’ after their win in a top-of-the-table clash with previous pacesetters Crayke.
Gary Goodwin gave Crayke the perfect start but Gareth Srain, the division’s leading goalscorer, levelled for Civil Service and then hit a hat-trick early in the second period as they eventually won 6-2.
Ross Dixon and Declan Parks completed the Civil Service scoring, while Luke Bilham added a second for Crayke.
Wheldrake celebrated their first away win in the league as they defeated Huby 5-3 with goals from Tom Anderson, Kyle Davis, James Smith and Steve Evans (2). Huby replied through Darren Outerson (2) and Jimmy Turton.
St Clement’s achieved the double over Rufforth as they followed up their home win with a 4-1 away victory. The goalscorers were Ricki Mizzi, Josh Johnson and Joe Hamilton, plus an own goal.
Danny Rogers hit Rufforth’s reply.
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