Hamilton Panthers collected the win they needed to preserve their York Minster Engineering Football League premier division status for another season after they beat Haxby 3-1.

Adam Kelly gave Haxby the lead on the hour but within five minutes Panthers were back level through Tony Robinson before strikes from Jack Condron and the goal of the game from Paul King secured the win and the required three points for Panthers.

That result sets up a winner-takes-all encounter at Easingwold tomorrow when York St John will be the visitors. The losers will be relegated and the winners will be remain in the top flight. A draw would just be enough for York St John to avoid the drop. Old Malton guaranteed themselves a top-three finish for the fourth season on the trot as they wound up their fixtures with a 3-0 home win over York RI.

The goals, all in the first half, came from Scott Preston, Dean Nuttall and Dean Chapman.

Dunnington continued their steady improvement as runners-up after hammering Poppleton 8-0 in their final fixture. The tally was shared between Scott Sullivan (3), Ian Burgess, Jimmy Wilmoth, an own goal and Andy Cox before goalkeeper Adam Thomas completed the rout with a penalty.

Louis Blackwell scored twice for Riccall to add to Gary Collier’s opener in a 3-1 win over Tadcaster Albion.

Jim Drew hit a hat-trick for Tockwith as his side beat Fulford 5-1 in reserve ‘C’, while Tadcaster Magnets warmed up for the Reserve League Cup semi-final against Huntington on Monday with a 5-0 walloping of reserve ‘D’ champions Cliffe.

After a blank first half, the floodgates opened with goals from Phil Smith (3), Joe Smyth and Darren Wilson, his 14th of the season.

Prior to the game Cliffe were presented with their trophies by Pete Gibson, the York Minster Engineering Football League secretary.