Liversedge 1 Eccleshill Utd 3

Eccleshill avenged their mauling at home to close rivals and near- neighbours Liversedge when they got a maximum from the reverse fixture on Saturday.

The win keeps United top of the three Bradford sides in the Northern Counties East Premier Division after Thackley were held to a home draw by lowly Borrowash.

The big derby proved to be the archetypal game of two halves. United dominated the first period and entered the break two goals up while Sedge battled manfully after the interval, only to find visiting keeper Craig Bates in inspired form.

United boss Tony Brown admitted the scoreline did not reflect the closeness of the contest.

"It was a good win but 3-1 flattered us. It was a decent game and when we were just 2-1 up Batesy made three or four top-class saves to keep us in front.

"If they had got level during that spell I think they would have gone on to win it. But they didn't and that is why the keeper is there.

"The last goal just into injury-time put the gloss on it but I don't think anyone could begrudge that. It was one of those strikes that was worth the entrance money alone."

Sedge manager Eugene Lacy did not attempt to take anything away from substitute Ben Hardy's late Christmas cracker.

"When he got through he had three defenders and the keeper to beat, and he did," said Lacy.

"We were still round the Christmas tree when the game kicked off, and we didn't join in until the start of the second half. We were 2-0 down by then and, to be fair, Kyle Sutcliffe had made two good saves so it could have been worse.

"But we were the better side after that and I'm disappointed that we didn't get anything from the game.

"The referee was superb - all three officials were - so we can't blame anyone except Bates. We had more chances overall but he was the difference between the sides."

United opened the scoring in the 15th minute through new boy Ian Twitchell. He picked up possession outside the area and cruised past a covering defender before shooting home.

Sedge levelled before the half-hour through leading scorer James Nestor. Bates parried a fierce shot from Adam Goldthorpe and when Rob Morgan fluffed his attempted clearance Nestor stole in.

Tony Lennon - another new signing, making his debut alongside Twitchell - put a good chance wide before Andy Howland forced Sutcliffe into a fine save. Howland was not to be denied and netted on the half-hour.

Bates provided a stunning second-half display to frustrate the home side and Hardy shone with his individual strike in the second minute of added time.