Thackley battled to a narrow home win to stay top of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division table – and it proved to be a big victory as their two main rivals dropped points.

The Dennyboys’ 1-0 success over Staveley MW leaves them four points clear of Retford United and six ahead of Tadcaster Albion, who were both held to 2-2 draws, with a game in hand on both clubs.

Thackley’s match-winner was Damian Hopkins, who headed home Matt Morgan’s corner midway through the first half.

Mike Garrod and Chris Davey had seen good first-half chances blocked by the visitors’ determined defence.

Staveley have strengthened with an influx of new signings and should have levelled with 15 minutes to go but Jordan Turner screwed a shot wide of an open net.

The visitors then finished with ten men as Luke Beaston was shown a straight red card for a foul on Lewis Morgan.

Brighouse Town are matching Thackley in the current form guide and another win, 2-0 at home to Nostell MW, lifted them up to fifth place.

Danny Nadiole and Tom Matthews were Town’s scorers but Ernest Boafo missed a first-half penalty.

Ben Small received a bad cut to the head but Brighouse later reported that he was recuperating.

Town would join neighbours Thackley on 33 points at the summit if they won all three of their games in hand.

Albion Sports lost ground in mid-table after being held 1-1 at home by Glasshoughton Welfare.

The first half remained goalless as Albion duo Danny Facey and Alex Cusack were both denied by the woodwork.

The hosts were in the driving seat for most of the second half but failed to create clear chances and they almost paid the price.

Glasshoughton snatched the lead, Joel Freestone scoring from a quick breakaway three minutes from time.

But Albion skipper Asif Hussain ensured his side took a share of the spoils when he rifled in a 30-yarder in the second minute of stoppage time.

Liversedge’s three-game winning run came to an end but they still earned a point from a 1-1 draw on their trip to Armthorpe Welfare.

Matthew Bugg had given Sedge an 18th-minute lead but Garry Munday equalised seven minutes into the second half.

Eccleshill United lost out in a top-three Division One clash at Bottesford Town. The Eagles went into the game in third place but dropped to fifth following a 1-0 defeat.

Jake Quickenden scored the game’s only goal in the second half and Eccleshill finished with ten men after Ishmeal Mills was given his marching orders eight minutes from time.