LEAGUE leaders Oxenhope took on second placed Skipton LMS in Saturday's match of the day -- and it was a real thriller.

Oxenhope put LMS under pressure with several chances which went begging in the early stages before Steve Murray put the Worth Valley side ahead from a well struck free kick. Jonathan Broadbent followed up to make it 2-0 and Oxenhope looked to have taken the game by the scruff of the neck.

Skipton fought their way back into the game when they headed home from a corner. A defensive mix up allowed them to equalise, but after seeing their lead whittled away Oxenhope raised their game once more. The won a penalty on half time which David Collier slammed into the back of the net.

Deep in the second half LMS snatched an equaliser and both sides went all out for the points, but defences held firm and they were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw.

The result left the title race wide open with LMS having two matches in hand on Oxenhope, but they will face a backlog of games as they also continue in three cup competitions. Oxenhope have to make the most of their seven remaining league games.

Keighley Lifts are still lingering on the fringes of the title race and needed to take revenge on Grassington who knocked them out of the cup last week. Both sides powered into the attack from the start which chances created at both ends. Grassington eventually started to get the upper hand, pushing Lifts back in defence.

They Keighley side fought off a barrage of attacks and were awarded a penalty on rare excursion into Grassington territory. Daniel Moriarty scored from the spot and his side held out while the Dalesmen peppered their goal, hitting the bar and having two shots cleared off the line before half time.

Lifts continued to hold on in defence for much of the second half. After soaking up pressure they broke out and Moriarty added a second before the final whistle to secure a 2-0 victory.

Solid defending and some classy goal keeping from Bronte Wanderers kept a confident Cross Hills side at bay in the quarter-final of the Devonshire Carpets Premier Cup. Eventually Bronte started to break out of defence and opened the scoring with an excellent goal from David Alderson who outstripped the Cross Hills defence and beat the keeper with a fine shot.

Hills had two good chances to draw level before the break, but time Welsh in Bronte's goal pulled off excellent saves.

The second half started with a bang as Mark Robinson equalised for Cross Hills within two minutes. With everything to play for Bronte showed the passion and flair, creating chances without converting.

As the game looked like going into extra time David Alderson again found himself in front of the Hills goal, and he made sure with his second goal.

The win gives Bronte a home tie in the semi-final when they will meet Grassington United.

Division One table toppers Lothersdale Athletic travelled to Skipton Town and started in fine style with Liam Jeffrey's scoring the first. John Lawrence scored the second and followed up with the third. Mark Watson made it four with a screamer from outside the penalty area.

Although town's cause was lost, they scored either side of half time while Dale were content to play out the game, and added fifth through John baker to secure a good win. The crunch comes tomorrow (Saturday) when they meet second placed Bradley in a match which neither side can afford to loose.

Bronte Wanderers Reserves were involved in a relegation battle at Cowling and went in search of three points. They started the better side while Cowling appeared sluggish, but they took the lead with a goal from Edward Jenkins.

Bronte came back into the game an equalised with a spectacular volley from Jamie Rowell who took the ball on his chest before slotting home. The second half was a dour affair with neither side creating many chances as they settled for a point each from the 1-1 draw.

Division Two leaders Chatburn visited Silsden Athletic and found themselves 2-0 down by half time. Silsden adapted better to the conditions and fully deserved their lead. The second half saw Chatburn equalise and score a third to snatch victory from the Cobbydale side's grasp.

Cross Hills Reserves visited promotion seekers Gargrave and shook them with an early goal from Stuart Parkin. But it was all downhill from then on as Gargrave took command to secure a 3-1 lead at the break. A fourth goal in the second half made sure there was no way back for Hills who created a string of chances.

Cowling Reserves saw their four-match winning run come to an end at the hands of Gargrave Reserves. Cowling were under pressure and were 2-0 down by the break, but they bounced back with a goal from Lee Complin. Grassington were thankful to get a penalty to make the game safe as they survived Cowling's onslaught.