ANDREW HOLLAND clinched a victory for Cross Hills to put them level with Skipton Bulldogs at the top of the table after their head-to-head showdown with fellow title chasers Embsay last weekend.

The South Craven side's 2-1 victory came as the league slipped into top gear in an attempt to clear the incredible backlog of games after one of the worst seasons in recent years. Evening matches and an almost full programme of games on Saturday helped reduce the pressure.

Hills needed to bounce back after their surprise defeat by Cononley Sports, but both keepers were on top form and kept the score sheet blank in the opening period. Embsay took the lead midway through the first half and held on until early in the second half when a more determined Cross Hills team got back on level terms.

A cross by Harry Peacock was met by Stephen Gray for the equaliser. Hills kept up the pressure forcing a corner which Nicholas Shaw put across for Holland to score the winner.

Embsay worked hard to score an equaliser by the Hill defence kept their grip on both points.

Keighley Lifts did their best to thwart the title ambitions of Skipton Bulldogs who made hard work of their 3-0 victory. All three goals came in the closing stages of the game as Lifts let the constant pressure take its toll.

The Keighley side defended well in the in the first half and were aided by wasted chances from Dogs as they kept a clean sheet. Both teams cancelled each other out in the opening stages of the second half and it looked as though Lifts had salvaged a point until fitness took its toll late in the game.

Bulldogs finally opened their account in the last quarter and added two more before the final whistle to give them a flattering victory.

Division One leaders Bronte Wanderers visited Barnoldswick United and found the home side on excellent form. Bronte were forced to defend and were thankful the Barlick side could not take advantage of their chances. The second half saw Bronte starting to push forward and they eventually broke the deadlock. United hit back but their effort was disallowed and Bronte took advantage with a second goal which proved a turning point.

Bronte started playing the type of football which has taken them to the top and for the last 20 minutes they ran Barnoldswick ragged adding a further two goals for a convincing victory.

Keighley Lifts Reserves struggled to raise a team but although they raised 11 men Intake were forced to play a man short. Intake looked the better side in the first half but -could only manage one goal. Within seconds of the start of the second half they had doubled their tally. Lifts raised their game and began to create chances with Gary Kinnear finding the net, but they were denied an equaliser by the brilliance of the Intake keeper.

Cowling visited promotion hopefuls Skipton Town and struggled to find any sort of rhythm in the first half and were soon trailing. However, they stuck to their task and a good move put them back on level terms when Martin Dalby headed home Kelly Anderson's cross.

Poor defence gifted Town two further goals before half time. Cowling pulled a second goal back after a period of powerful play, with Dalby tapping home another Anderton cross. Despite the onslaught Town held on to take the points.

Division Two leaders Ilkley Youth visited Oxenhope Recreation reserves and both sides tried to play good football on a very heavy pitch. Ilkley took the lead and held their advantage until the closing stages. Oxenhope had created some superb chances but looked like missing out until a free kick on the edge of the area was place in the back of the net by Joseph Blacka.

Cowling Reserves had beaten Bulldogs Reserves in midweek but struggled to field a full team for the return fixture on Saturday. They were under the cosh from the start and were soon two goals down, with two own goals. Tom Lennon was responsible for some excellent saves to keep the score down until just on half time when Bulldogs scored through one of their own players.

The South Craven side were up to 11 men by the start of the second half and played much better, they should have scored but completed their hat-trick of own goals before Paul Kerrigan scored a consolation effort.

Bronte Wanderers Reserves kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 4-0 victory over Barrowford United.

Silsden Athletic completed the double over Skipton LMS Reserves when they rattled five goals past a young side who refused to give up trying. Two early goals put Silsden in command but furthers strikes did not come until the second half when the LMS defence folded. Silsden scorers were Richard Wilson (2), Jamie Cunningham (2) and Tom Driver.