Brighouse TOWN held on to top spot in Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Division One by the skin of their teeth after suffering a narrow defeat at home to Pontefract Collieries.

The loss put an end to Town’s 14-match unbeaten run, 13 of which had been victories as they took 40 points from a possible 42.

The upward surge came to a shuddering halt as Sean Hammonds claimed the only goal of the game just after the half-hour mark.

It leaves Brighouse just a point clear of Tadcaster Albion, who enjoyed a 4-0 victory at home to struggling ECCLESHILL UNITED as a hat-trick from Mark Braithwaite paved the way.

Braithwaite bagged a brace during a seven-minute spell in the first half and completed his treble in the 52nd minute.

Darren Brandon netted the fourth goal seven minutes from time to leave the Eagles in the bottom two.

Tadcaster must now be rated as clear favourites for the title as they have three games in hand over Brighouse.

Third-placed Leeds Carnegie also suffered a rare defeat and that kept them four points behind Tadcaster, having played the same number of games.

Town have just three matches remaining and their mission must be to bank a maximum nine points to give themselves the best possible chance of winning the championship.