Wigginton Grasshoppers moved out of the York Leeper Hare League premier division relegation zone with a 3-2 home win over Dunnington but they almost threw points away after surrendering a two-goal half-time lead.

Tom Coates and brother Ben hit first half goals but after the turn around they relaxed and Dunnington drew level with goals from Chris Burgess and Rob Harte.

However, man-of-the-match Tom Coates, bagged the Grasshoppers winner with 15 minutes left.

Kartiers slipped into the relegation zone despite running championship challengers Dringhouses close.

Dringhouses had a goal in each half from Joe Gaughan to thank for a 2-1 win.

After conceding eight last week against Malton Bacon Factory, Nestl Rowntree put up a far better performance against the same opposition but still suffered defeat.

Nigel Allen put The Factory in front after only three minutes and although James Vine equalised for 'Trees, Andrew Thornton and Allen struck again for a 3-1 win.

Crayke held on for a 1-1 draw against Old Malton despite being reduced to nine men.

Malt took the lead after a quarter of an hour against the run of play through Dave Bradshaw.

Crayke maintained their attacking stance and managed a deserved equaliser in the 55th-minute when Dan Copeland scored through a crowded goal mouth.

In the latter stages of the game, Crayke were reduced to nine men and Old Malton pressed forward for the winner with Bradshaw heading against the crossbar but the visitors held out for the draw.

Osbaldwick's nap-hand was too good for Rufforth.

Danny Leach completed his hat-trick to add to a Lee Bond strike and an own goal in the 5-0 rout.

Pocklington remain top on goal difference thanks to an 8-0 romp against struggling Riccall.

Brent Terry added another four to his season's tally and there were goals apiece for Robert Gibson, Rich Millett, Mike Murr and Dave Ablett.

Assistant referee Lol Cussons was forced to take the whistle, at the age of 71, when the appointed referee was caught up in a traffic jam on his way to the game.

Division one leaders Wigginton Black Horse survived a late South Bank fightback to win 4-2.

Horse raced into a three-goal first half lead as Paul Pemberton, Lee Knaggs and Anthony Luck found the net. The visitor came back strongly after the break and pulled back two goals before Pemberton made sure with a fourth goal.

Haxby & Wigginton kept up the challenge on their neighbours by winning a potentially difficult game against St John's College 4-3.

The game looked to be heading for a draw with goals from Haxby's Jon Machin and Richard Iggulden (2) cancelled out by a Rob Ellis hat-trick, but before Paul Dyson hit the winner with five minutes to go.

Copmanthorpe lost ground on the leaders after being held to a 1-1 draw by Haxby.

Dave Thompson scored for Haxby and Alan Brazier managed Copmanthorpe's equaliser when he volleyed home a corner kick through a crowded goal mouth.

At the other end of the table, Fulford remained out of luck on their visit to New Earswick where Anthony Robinson netted for the home side after ten minutes, but it took a Ken Tuite goal two minutes from time to secure the points.

Norwich Union took a point at home to Thorpe with goals from James Hutt and Chris Long.

Reports from the Leeper Hare reserve divisions will be published later this week.

Updated: 10:49 Monday, January 20, 2003