New Earswick gave themselves a lifeline in their fight to avoid relegation from the premier division of Leeper Hare York and District League with a 4-3 win at Rufforth.

They led 2-1 at half-time after goals from John Carter and James Vine, with Martin Pepper replying for Rufforth.

Rufforth turned the tables in the second half and took the lead with goals from Jimmy Collins and Peter Powell.

But with ten minutes remaining New Earswick, second from bottom in the table, again seized the initiative with goals from John Smith and Phil Hart to take three valuable points.

Kartiers continued their climb into mid-table respectability with a 4-2 home win over Huntington.

The visitors started brightly but fell behind after only five minutes when Russell Seagrave volleyed home a long throw from Andy Woodall.

Woodall again played a part in the second Kartiers goal on 30 minutes when he crossed for Neil Taylor to score with a crisp left-footed shot.

It was Woodall the provider again ten minutes later as he crossed for Danny Hewitt to net the Selby side's third goal.

Paul Downes pulled one back for Huntington on the stroke of half-time but any hope of a revival were dashed in a scrappy second half when Graham Cannon hit the home the Kartier's fourth.

Two minutes from time Jamie Seal reduced the arrears, but this result leaves Huntington dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Bottom-of-the-table Riccall gave a good account of themselves at Wigginton Grasshoppers.

The match was scoreless until the visitors were reduced to ten men through injury in the sixtieth minute.

The home side took advantage with Ben Coates opening the scoring.

Owen Willis then bagged a hat-trick to produce a scoreline that did not do justice to Riccall's endeavour.

Updated: 11:55 Monday, February 25, 2002