THORNTON United have won their first Bradford Sunday Alliance League PREMIER DIVISION title.
A late goal from Andy Benjamin gave them a 2-1 home victory over closest rivals West Bowling, which ended their championship bid.
However, Bowling outplayed the leaders for long periods and made the better start at Manningham Mills, Chris Wood's flick header putting leading scorer Damian Melvin through, only for United's Thomas Metcalfe to make a great save from what were a series of corners.
But a rare mistake by Nick Cowling allowed the ball to reach a Thornton forward, who crossed for Deroy White to control it before shooting into the bottom corner of the net.
Andrew Bailey replaced Wood at the interval and his cross gave Cowling the chance to atone for his earlier error and equalise, and only a great point-blank save by Bowling's Ashley Onitiri kept the score at 1-1.
The match looked like heading for a draw until Benjamin's intervention three minutes from time.
United are deserved champions and also beat Bowling earlier in the campaign, but the latter did well to come second after losing two matches and drawing the other in what was a terrible start.
Both teams have a game left but the FIRST DIVISION championship race could go to the final match of the season as both Oakenshaw and White Eagles won with ease at the weekend.
Oakenshaw recorded a 6-1 victory over Wyke Rangers to remain one point clear at the top with a game in hand, goals coming from Luke O'Brien (3), Andrew Atkinson (2) and Christopher Holdsworth.
Second-placed White Eagles were bidding for revenge over fifth-placed Manningham after an earlier league defeat but Manningham took the lead midway through the first half.
The home team upped their game and equalised on the stroke of half-time through a Craig Smith header.
However, Eagles' pressure came to nothing until two goals from Danny Facey turned the tide.
Station Hotel won DIVISION 3A in dramatic style.
After goalkeeper Mathew Keenan was the first-half hero, pulling off some top-drawer saves to keep Station in the match against Aire Athletic Reserves, Dean Cawdrey's long-range shot win it for Station in added time.
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