Sheriff Hutton remain top of Leeper Hare York and District League division three but lost again, this time 4-0 at Selby RSSC, and the chasing pack are closing rapidly.

Jason Chalkley and Gordon Campbell gave The Railway Club a two-goal first half lead to which Trevor Sykes and Paul Stephenson added second half goals to put their team into second place, ahead of no less than five teams with promotion possibilities.

After a blank first half LNER Builders conceded an own goal against Wilberfoss and Shaun Hodgson followed with two more to ensure that Wilberfoss hold on to third place.

Andy Whitwam and Tony Mason scored the Strensall goals in the 2-0 win over Wheldrake which keeps them on the fringe of the promotion race and Elvington Harriers are right in there after a 4-1 win at Marton-cum-Grafton. The home side's lack of a cutting edge in front of goal was evident as they enjoyed much of the early play without reward. John Rogerson struck for The Harriers after 15 minutes and when Marton failed to score from the penalty spot ten minutes later their confidence evaporated.

Paul Culkin made no mistake with a penalty in the 40th-minute to put the visitors 2-0 up at half-time.

Culkin increased the lead from a corner before Chris Chapman managed a reply. But any hopes of a Marton fight-back were dashed when John Garnham hit Elvington's fourth ten minutes from time.

Rawcliffe Rangers' Dale Phillips scored in the first minute of their home game against Moor Lane and Paul Beddingham made it

2-0 20 minutes later. Andrew Kenyon pulled one back before the break for Moor Lane and, with the wind behind them, Moor Lane enjoyed most of the second half but could not capitalise.

Kenyon equalised but Beddingham snatched his second to restore The Rangers' lead, which they held to the final whistle.

Reserve 'A' leaders Dringhouses had their home game against bottom team Haxby postponed but their seven-point advantage remains.

Kartiers lost 4-3 at home to St John's College despite a hat-trick from Wayne Coulthard. Mark Leask recorded a similar feat for The Students and Andrew Stevens scored the winner.

Huntington took over second spot with a 6-0 thrashing of Wigginton Black Horse, who are now in relegation peril.

An own goal and strikes by Mark Gambles (3), Chris Dower and Paul Fawcett did the damage.

Bishopthorpe have sunk dangerously near the drop zone after losing 2-1 at home to South Bank. Greg FitzMaurice netted for The Bishops but this was cancelled out by an own goal and Darryl Strickland hit the winner for South Bank in the second half. Dave Iddon and Martin Corr gave New Earswick a 2-0 first half lead at Wigginton Grasshoppers with the wind advantage.

But when the teams turned round Grasshoppers took over, winning with goals from Luke Roberts (2) and James Wood.

Osbaldwick missed the chance to go top of Reserve 'B', going down 2-1 at Civil Service, despite taking the lead through Mark Crangle. Alistair Burn levelled before half-time, substitute Alan Closs hitting the winner in the 70th-minute.

Boroughbridge thumped seven past Rufforth with six coming in the second half. The teams were all-square at the end of the first period with Steve Kirby on target for Boroughbridge and Jim Young replying.

Lee Craggs put 'Bridge ahead, Steve Kirby struck with two free-kicks, Matthew Wix weighed in with two more and Darren Fowles rounded off matters with the last.

Lowly Heworth held runaway Reserve 'C' leaders Copmanthorpe until the second half but a goal from Paul Scurry and two from Callum McKay saw Copmanthorpe home.

The wind spoilt the Huby versus White Horse encounter.

Jeff Bracewell scored from a penalty for Huby before White Horse twice went close.

Huby had the wind advantage in the second half and soon increased their lead through substitute John Durrant.

Ten minutes from time Durrant bagged his second on the break to secure the win.

Updated: 12:27 Wednesday, February 13, 2002