Eccleshill United have pushed themselves to the brink of safety with a stunning 4-1 win at neighbours Silsden on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles were still in danger of relegation from the Northern Counties East League Premier Division heading into the derby, but are now nine points clear of the drop with only four games remaining.

The visitors did all the damage in the first half-hour, as they raced into a 3-0 lead over their shellshocked hosts, whose play-off hopes are now surely over after this crushing defeat.

Former Bantams youngster Cole Roberts put Eccleshill in front after only six minutes, and it was two before the quarter-hour mark when Joao Silva found the net.

Zack Sangster put the away side 3-0 up after half-an-hour, meaning the game was all-but-over by the break.

Daniel Smith pulled a goal back for Silsden on the hour mark, but Eccleshill rubber-stamped victory when Roberts netted his second of the game in the final 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, second-placed Campion and third-placed Garforth Town have virtually handed the title to Emley on a plate, as they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Bradford on Friday night that benefitted neither side.

Sam Barker put Garforth ahead just before the break, only for Michael O’Brien to equalise for Campion straight after the interval.

Jordan Emery quickly restored the away side’s lead, before a fine Aidan Kirby strike saw the hosts level the scores late on.

Emley won 5-0 at Barton Town the following day, and are now five points clear at the summit with two games in hand.

If the leaders win at home to Albion Sports tomorrow night, they will be on the brink of being automatically promoted as champions.

Their title triumph will be confirmed at the weekend if they win away to Goole, or Campion drop points at Rossington Main.

If either of the above scenarios happen, Emley will be automatically promoted as champions, thus consigning Campion to a play-off place.

Fifth-placed Albion could do with the points themselves tomorrow, after a surprise 3-1 defeat at struggling Goole kept their spot in the play-off places in the balance.

They are currently four points clear of sixth-placed Thackley, though they do have a game in hand on their neighbours.

The Dennyboys kept up the pressure on their rivals nicely on Saturday, Ben Grech-Brooksbank and Finn Donovan scoring in an impressive 2-0 win at Knaresborough Town.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Finn Donovan (left) scored Thackley's crucial second goal in their win at Knaresborough.Finn Donovan (left) scored Thackley's crucial second goal in their win at Knaresborough. (Image: Martin Taylor.)

At the 32nd time of asking in the North West Counties Football League First Division North this season, Route One Rovers have drawn a game.

Their madcap 3-3 draw at Darwen was a fair result, though the home side’s last-gasp leveller was a sickener.

The result keeps the Bradford side just inside the play-off places by two points, but the chasing pack, including Ilkley Town, all have at least two games in hand.

Ilkley closed that gap with an absorbing 4-2 win at Steeton on Saturday, which leaves the hosts still perched precariously, four points clear of the drop zone.

Over in the Northern Premier League East Division, Brighouse Town are not quite safe yet either, as a 2-0 home defeat to Hebburn Town on Saturday leaves them only eight points above the relegation places with seven games remaining.

Conversely, Liversedge are now enjoying the comfort of mid-table after an excellent 2-0 win at play-off chasing North Ferriby.

Guiseley’s promotion tilt took a dent on Saturday, as they missed a penalty on their way to a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Ilkeston Town in the NPL Premier Division.

Finally, Farsley Celtic are woefully out of form in National League North, and are now just two points clear of the relegation zone after a grim 4-1 defeat at Hereford.