Albion Sports boosted their chances of landing the Baris Northern Counties East Division One title with a comfortable home win on a day when the leaders dropped points.

As Kulwinder Sandhu’s men banked all three points from a 4-1 victory over AFC Emley at Horsfall Stadium, Athersley Recreation were being held to a 2-2 draw at home, leaving them just one point above Albion having played one game more.

An early Karl Hall goal set Albion on their way and, when Hall added a second and Danny Facey netted minutes before the break, Albion had a good first-half lead.

Hall went on to claim his hat-trick in the second half, Doran Jordan scoring Emley’s solitary response.

Neighbouring rivals Eccleshill United earned a point from a 1-1 draw at fifth-placed Shirebrook Town.

Brandon Roane’s 33rd-minute strike had put the Eagles in front but Rob Camm levelled in the last minute for the home side.