Osbaldwick lost ground in the Leeper Hare York and District League premier division title race by being held to a 2-2 draw at Crayke.

Russ Barley put Osbaldwick into the lead. Tim Jackson equalised five minutes before half-time with a spectacular overhead kick, but James Whalen put the visitors back in front before the referee called a halt to the first half.

Ten minutes from time Martin Piercy headed Crayke's second equaliser of the match, from a corner. Both sides missed chances to win the game in the last few minutes.

Bishopthorpe gave a good account of themselves at table-toppers Dringhouses but in losing 4-0 they failed to stop the home side's title challenge.

Neil Doucey opened the scoring after 15 minutes when he lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper from 25 yards out.

Craig McShane met a corner at the near post to head the second goal twenty minutes later.

Almost on the stroke of half-time Joe Gaughan was brought down in the box and got up to take the penalty kick himself to make it 3-0.

Bishopthorpe continued to battle but could not convert their chances and Dringhouses defender Steve Harrison bagged himself a rare goal ten minutes into the second half to complete the scoring.

Pocklington won 4-1 at Nestle Rowntree but the home side were well in the game until the hour mark.

Neil Wilford struck after twelve minutes for Pocklington and Rowntree centre back Mark Smythe headed home a free kick on 35 minutes to level the scores.

The home side then missed the chance to take the lead when they had a shot cleared off the line and Pocklington took advantage by regaining the lead minutes later when Mike Murr was fouled in the box and Andy Green converted the penalty kick.

Wilford bagged his second from close range after an hour and ten minutes later Alan Goodrick made sure with the fourth goal.

Huntington eased their relegation worries with a 5-0 home win over bottom of the table Riccall.

It took only five minutes for Darren Duffill to open the scoring and Paul Downes netted the second 15 minutes later. Two minutes before the break he struck the third.

Huntington introduced 47-year-old player-manager Dave Fenton for the last ten minutes. He set up a goal for Pat Noone and in the last minute he created the chance for Downes to complete his hat-trick.

Division one strugglers Fulford were unlucky to come away from promotion chasing Haxby without a point, going down to a late winner from Dave Jeffries.

After a scoreless first half Mike Taylor netted for Haxby and Russell Goodwin responded for Fulford with a shot from thirty yards which deceived the Haxby 'keeper.

Wigginton Black Horse took over at the top after a high scoring win at Norwich Union. Chris McFee claimed a hat-trick and there were single goals for Dave Nelson, Paul Pemberton and Lee Knaggs as Black Horse ran out 6 -4 winners. Matt Devereaux (2), Stuart Wilson and James Hutt scored for Norwich Union.

The potential match of the day at Copmanthorpe, where South Bank were the visitors, was postponed when the pitch failed the referee's inspection.

Updated: 11:55 Monday, December 23, 2002