Bingley Bees 1, University of Leeds Seconds 1

Bingley Bees notched a vital draw in their battle to avoid relegation from the Yorkshire Women’s Premier Division.

They were trailing third-placed visitors University of Leeds Seconds 1-0 in the penultimate league game of the season when striker Mel Burgess’ superb flick salvaged an equalliser.

However, the hosts would have trailed by more than one were it not for an outstanding display by keeper Kirsty Matthews, which won her the player of the match award.

Clever use of substitutions then helped Bingley to have the energy to draw level.

They are now fourth from bottom with 22 points, level with Thirsk and Leeds Adel Seconds, but Hull University (21 points) and Brigg (20 points) can still overhaul Bingley if they fail to win at leaders Driffield, who still need a win to be assured of the title, on Saturday.

Doncaster Independent 1, Bingley Bees Seconds 0

Bingley Bees Seconds are safe from the drop in Yorkshire Women’s Division Four but lost their next-to-last match 1-0 at basement club Doncaster Independent.

The Bees travelled without several key players, including their regular goalkeeper, who was ill, and had just enough players to make up a team.

The visitors started the match with Cath Wood as stand-in keeper, rather than using a kicking-back.

Both sides failed to take their opportunities in the first half, so after the interval Wood joined the forwards, with Jenny Bone reverting to kicking-back.

Unfortunately, the plan back-fired as Doncaster fired a shot past Bone for 1-0. The floodgates, however, did not open, with neither side adding to their score.

Bone, for her bravery in the second half, was player of the match, while defender Lesley Brian received the opposition’s nomination.

Huddersfield Dragons Fifths 0, Bingley Bees 7

Bingley Bees, assured of promotion but not the title in Yorkshire Men’s Division Five North, won 7-0 at already-relegated Huddersfield Dragons Fifths.

Joe Manning scored within 70 seconds with a powerful flick from the edge of the D, and ten minutes later it was 3-0 after efforts from skipper Ben Clough and Stephen Booth.

The visitors to Lockwood Park got a fourth from a short corner, when an accurate pass from Bill Livingstone allowed Booth to deflect the ball in at the right-hand post, and Jason Johnson’s powerful strike from close in made it 5-0 before half-time.

With the prospect of overhauling York University Thirds for the crown, there was no let-up in the second half by the Bees, Mike Crawshaw and Robbie Manning adding goals.

A win over visitors Thirsk Seconds on Saturday at Bradford Grammar School (1.00) will now do the trick.