A GARY Newton hat-trick stunned Hounds and denied them the chance to go level at the top of John Smith's York Sunday Morning Football League division one.

Hounds seemed to be well on their way when Hunter, Cygan and an own goal put them three up inside the first 45 minutes at Blacksmiths Arms.

But the home side rallied in the second period and Newton's treble stole a point.

James Vine put Wigginton GH one up at home to Selby Olympia, who then bombarded the home goal without breaking through thanks to some superb defending from Seal and Roberts. Tom Coates grabbed a second on the break to take all three points.

Dean Wood put Thorpe in front against Pocklington and a 30-yard strike from Garner secured a 2-0 win.

Nestl Flag kept their title hopes alive in division two when they came from behind to beat Burnholme (Earswick) 5-1 courtesy of goals from Laidlaw (2), Cadywold, Kendall and Dyson, Walters having put Burnholme in front.

Danny Gray was the chief architect of Acomb WMC's 6-2 win at York Nomads when he bagged five.

Wayne Carter hit the other with Gilmore and Skippen scoring for the home side.

Vinny Wray scored twice as Acomb SC beat Deramore Arms 3-1 and Danny Smith and Neil Taylor struck to earn Hemingbrough a 2-1 win at Boot & Slipper.

It wasn't a good day for the leading pack in division three as leaders Bishopthorpe lost 2-1 at home to The Plough to goals from Adam Cook and James Cook, Moore netting for Bishopthorpe.

A bigger surprise came at Hambleton where Copmanthorpe stormed into a 3-0 half-time lead through Gilbertson, Lincoln and Gall. The hosts hit back as goals from Welford, Reay and Dunne drew them level only for Gilbertson to grab his second to take all three points for the visitors.

Fulford closed the gap to the leaders with a 4-2 win at Real Way Station thanks to goals from Joe Smart (2), Ben Smart and David Chapman, G Littlewood and C Littlewood netting for the Station.

Michael Page bagged a brace for Heworth but it wasn't enough as Strange's brace and Burton earned Beeswing a 3-2 victory.

Watkinson netted both in Shoulder of Mutton's 2-2 draw with The Five Lions. Inland Revenue and Barlby also drew 2-2 with Lund (pen) and Ambler netting for Revenue and Hughes and Butler replying.

Updated: 11:49 Friday, February 18, 2005