Oxenhope RECREATION entertained Keighley Lifts in a tough top of the table battle.

The home side powered into the attack from the opening whistle while Lifts looked rusty and struggled to win the ball.

The Worth Valley side took the lead after a superb move down the left was finished off by David Collier. They held on to the 1-0 lead until half time and continued to press in the early part of the second period.

Lifts defence held firm at the back and still had hope of coming back into the game until a superb header from Shaun Bonner flashed past the Lifts keeper. The Keighley side worked hard to get back into the game and were given a little hope when they were awarded a penalty, although the shot rebounded out Daniel Moriarty was on hand to slot it home, but Oxenhope held out for a 2-1 victory.

Bronte Wanderers played host to Cross Hills and found their visitors in a confident mood and they put the home side's defence under pressure from the off. Bronte settled their nerves and came into the game, creating a number of good chances which should have been converted.

Cross Hills hit back with a goal from Daniel Thompson and quickly added a second through Gareth Brown. Bronte were 2-0 at half time and knew they needed to increase the pressure, but they failed to make much of an impression on a solid Cross Hills defence which repelled almost every attack.

In the closing minutes Cross Hills made the points safe with a penalty converted by Steven Holden.

Division One leaders Lothersdale Athletic had not played since before Christmas and with a weakened team for various reasons were not happy when they reached Waddington to find part of the pitch deep in mud. However, the game went ahead but Dales football went out of the window.

The home side adapted to the poor conditions much better and opened the scoring before Curtis Hall put Lothersdale back on level terms.

Waddington used the long ball well and regained the lead, but Paul Smith levelled again as the game reached half time.

The home side went on the attack again and were 4-2 up early in the second half. Lothersdale had to change tactics and the change paid off when Peter Groakes reduced the arrears. Dale pushed everyone forward looking for the equaliser, but were caught when Waddington broke away and sealed their 5-3 victory.

Second placed Embsay Reserves suffered a similar fate at the hands of bottom club Cowling when they lost 4-2 at home.

The South Craven side had a very positive attitude and attacked from the strt. Embsay were stunned when martin Dalby and Alasdair McEwen slotted goals to make it 2-0 before they had even got into gear.

Embsay hit back in the second half from the penalty spot but Cowling were in no mood to let the points slip from their grasp. Charles Glades put through a sweet ball for McEwen to make it 3-1 and Marty Dalby made it four with a terrific shot. The home side pulled one back but it was far too little, too late.

In Division Two Cross Hills Reserves were at home to Skipton Bulldogs Reserves and should have had the points in the bag. They attacked from the start, but went a goal down after a defensive lapse.

The error spurred Cross Hills on and they hit back with goals from James French and Stuart Park. A third goal from Park looked to have given them total control, but Bulldogs grabbed a second before the break to throw the game wide open again.

The second half saw Cross Hill hold possession without scoring until substitute Sam Pearson came on and within five minutes he had put Hills 4-2 up. Bulldogs could find no way back and Stuart Parkin completed the scoring with his hat-trick goal to secure the 5-2 victory.

There was a close match at Silsden where Keighley Lifts were the visitors. Silsden set off at a frantic pace but struggled to create scoring chances. Lifts were more controlled and were awarded a penalty, after a good build up, which Steven duff converted.

Lifts relaxed and allowed Silsden to get on top, scoring two quick goals to secure a 2-1 half time lead.

Lifts regained the initiative in the second half and equalised through Ryan Moore with a clever looping header. A David Middleton free kick put Lifts firmly in command but Silsden never stopped trying and were rewarded with an equaliser to share the points in a 3-3 draw.

Cowling Reserves mastered their heavy pitch much better than visitors Earby Town and scored two second half goals to collect three welcome points.