Boroughbridge A 1 Menston Rangers 2

The faces were largely the same, but the performance was unrecognisable from the previous week's debacle.

There was some surprise that the game remained on, but the journey up the A1 revealed that the Boroughbridge area had not suffered the same covering of snow that had affected Wharfedale, and the pitch was in much better shape than expected.

Menston made three changes from the team which had disappointed against Pateley Bridge. Julian Senior replaced the injured Richard Wintle, Craig Wood returned from suspension and Tom Duffissey came in for Craig George who was absent due to illness. Boroughbridge lay second in the table at start of play and were coming off the back of a 7-2 thrashing of long time league leaders Thirsk.

Menston knew that a poor performance could see them concede an avalanche of goals here, and for the first half hour did everything right that they had done wrong the previous week.

Goalkeeper Simon Wintle dominated his area and Richard Metcalfe kept the defence marking tightly. From this platform Richard Dickinson was running rings round the home defence.

During this period Menston had much the better of the play, with Julian Senior hitting the post, Scott Warbrick having a goal ruled out for off-side, and a Warbrick header nearly forcing an own goal.

Boroughbridge had been forced to hit on the break but gradually worked their way back into the game. The referee awarded a harsh free-kick against Harry Bond, who was booked into the bargain, but Simon Wintle produced a fine save.

The half ended with Boroughbridge on top, and making full use of any space they were given.

There was uproar from the home crowd shortly after the start of the second-half, when Chris Cooper made his second industrial challenge of the afternoon but no action was taken by the referee, whose decisions towards both teams were at times baffling.

Soon afterwards Menston went ahead when Scott Warbrick dispossessed his man and fed Ryan Dyer who finished calmly with a shot bent round the advancing 'keeper.

Boroughbridge pressed forward, often causing trouble down the Menston right, and hit the post. They got a deserved equaliser in a scrambled goal following a corner which Menston 'keeper Wintle failed to deal with.

The goal spurred the home side on, and cheered by a good sized crowd they looked the more likely to score. Menston held firm, but it took another strange refereeing decision to give them an opportunity to go ahead. A corner was hit straight out of play but bent back in and with everyone stopping Chris Cooper caught the ball.

Much to the amusement of the home support the referee pointed to the spot and, somewhat surprisingly given his earlier leniency, dismissed Cooper. Justice was served as the spot kick was blazed over the bar.

Substitute striker Gerry Haughian now found himself playing at centre-back, and made several timely interceptions, whilst around him tackles flew in from Metcalfe, Duffissey and fellow substitute Pete Kennedy.

With Boroughbridge seeking to make their man advantage pay Rangers were put under considerable pressure but held firm. With time running out Harry Bond intercepted deep in his own half and fed Richard Dickinson wide on the left. Dickinson beat one man, drew another two, and slipped the ball through to Julian Senior. Senior carried on down the line as Dickinson cut into the middle where he was found with a pin-point cross. He looped a header over the home 'keeper.

Much to the visitors surprise the referee announced one minute was remaining and Menston took this opportunity to kill the time left on the clock to record a well deserved win.

The home side took their defeat in good grace and many of those watching commented on what a fine game they had seen.

Menston now need to take this performance with them as they face back to back fixtures against the recently stumbling league leaders Thirsk Falcons.