YORK Leeper Hare Football league division one bottom club Stamford Bridge inflicted a first defeat of the season on third-placed Hamilton Panthers.

Danny Midgley and Paul King gave Panthers an early lead but Dave Stanford and Nick Rank levelled for Bridge. Panthers went into the interval in front as Mick McKenzie, who was later to be sent off, added their third. Chris Allen made it 3-3 then Panthers went in front again before Stanford equalised and Jamie Rank hit the winner two minutes from time.

The victory moved Stamford Bridge up two places as the bottom eight sides in the division are now separated by just two points.

Mark Coulson and Lee Garnham both scored for Easingwold as they moved out of the drop zone after recording their first home win in 11 attempts by beating Amotherby 2-1.

Richard Carruthers' 85th minute strike for Ouseburn earned his side a point from a 1-1 draw with Poppleton who had taken the lead through Ben Janes.

Norwich Union slipped a place after suffering their first home defeat in 15 games, losing 2-1 to Riccall. Glyn Welsby scored for Union with Dean Westwood and Jason Roughly hitting Riccall s goals.

The top two sides in the division both won. Haxby, despite having Matt Hartas dismissed after half an hour made it eight straight wins after beating Rufforth 3-2 with goals from Kev Butler (2), Dave Cruddas. Paul Moss and Danny Boggan replied for Rufforth.

Wilberfoss beat Elvington 3-0, John Heads opened the scoring and Jono Parkin added two second half goals.