Yorkshire all rounder Tim Bresnan was frustrated by the New Farnley scoreboard as much as anything else in the 154-run victory that left Townville still eight points clear of Wrenthporpe and Methley in the Central Yorkshire Premier Division.
After one time Spen Victoria opener Tim Walton had got his side off to a good start with 63 it was Bresnan who led the way with a superb 99 but, with the scoreboard not showing his individual score, he was unaware that he needed only one more for his century and shouldered arms' to spinner Will Smith.
His disappointment at being given out lbw was compounded by the realisation of how close he had come to his 100. Bresnan's brother Nicky was dismissed just four short of a half century and Salman Fasal Butt hit an unbeaten 53 to lift the total to 314 for five.
New Farnley defended solidly but lost their last wicket in the final over as Tim Bresnan (3-32) and John Rickers (4-29) helped reduce them to 160 all out.
Mid-table Scholes failed to halt Methley as they went down by 130 runs at Little Church Lane after former Harrogate duo John Proud (96) and John Inglis (86) piled on the runs at the start of the home side's innings to help them to 294 for five.
Chris Leaf then finished it off with a four for 56 return as Scholes were bowled out for 164.
Reigning champions Wrenthorpe maintained their challenge by winning at Wakefield City by seven wickets. Chasing 132 for victory, David Paynter (36) and Eric Austin (35) built the foundations of the Wrenthorpe reply.
Birstall made no mistake against lowly Carlton as former Hanging Heaton stalwart John Carruthers took four for 31 in 11.5 overs to bowl out the visitors for 176 after Andy Baker (40) and Mark Schofield (34) had added some respectability to the score.
Though losing key batsmen early on, Birstall's Vikram Rathour hit a top-scoring 72 in their match- winning 180 for five.
Azhur Chunara hit 100 not out in Liversedge's vital win at Ossett, with skipper Simon Purdy collecting a match-winning six for 33 in their 70-run victory.
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