Bramhope 3, Burley Trojans 2

Trojans' title aspirations were severely dented by struggling Bramhope. The home side played well above their league position to spring one of the surprises of the season and throw the title race wide open.

In fairness the warnings signs were apparent last week when Bramhope took Trojans to a penalty shoot out and once again they unsettled the league leaders with their total commitment to the cause.

Dave Brindle gave Trojans an early scare when he fired over from a good position and then Chris Hargreaves had to be alert to tip over a Jonathan Nichols effort after good work from the impressive Phil Wilman.

Gareth Goodison was inches away from connecting with Chris Connolly's cross and then Nick Quaife headed wide with Connolly again the provider.

Bramhope took a deserved lead on 20 minutes when the dangerous Ian Broadhead connected with a Wilman corner to head into the top corner despite Stuart Copley's desperate effort to clear.

Trojans hit back within five minutes from the penalty spot after Kevin Page crudely brought down Goodison as he broke clear. Connolly beat Craig Russell from the spot for the third time in a week to level.

Chris Wheeler making his first start in midfield set up Goodison but although he beat Russell a covering defender hacked the ball to safety.

Wheeler's robust challenge on Nichols sparked an ugly melee which resulted in Bramhope's Iain Hall receiving a yellow card for his assault on the Burley player and as tempers began to fray referee Stuart Taylor had his hands full keeping order.

Once the game settled down again the home side took the lead with Broadhead again on the end of Paul Dobson's hopeful long ball into the area to steer a header into the bottom corner.

This time the lead lasted only two minutes as Connolly picked out Goodison with the pass of the afternoon and the young striker sent a looping header into the far corner of the net.

Trojans seemed unable to learn from their first-half experiences and went behind again within five minutes of the re-start with the goal that proved to be the winner. Once again Wilman was the provider as his deep cross found Trojans' Chris Lloyd outnumbered and Lee Wood nodded home.

Tom McDermott hit the bar from close range following a scramble and Stuart Dibb's header was deflected wide as the visitors went in search of an equaliser.

Connolly's dangerous inswinging corner was clawed away by Russell from under his crossbar and Trojans' Man-of-the-Match Quaife fired over before seeing a goalbound effort deflected behind by Page.

Hargreaves kept his side in it when he dived full length to save from Chris Graham after the Bramhope striker had been allowed to run through the Trojans' defence. A late header from Goodison flew over as Trojans accepted that it was not going to be their day and Bramhope celebrated a deserved win.

l Trojans entertain second placed Kirkby Malzeard on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm. Players should meet at the Cricket Club at 1.15pm.