HARROGATE Railway gave their chances of finishing third in the Northern Counties East League premier division a true boost by beating Sheffield 1-0.

They were made to work hard for maximum points as the South Yorkshire side were reduced to ten men after only seven minutes when Darryl Winter was sent off for a two-footed tackle.

Ten-man Sheffield held out until the 79th minute when Ryan O'Carroll deflected a dangerous cross past his own goalkeeper.

Rivalry will be resumed rapidly as the two sides are due to meet again at Sheffield on Wednesday night.

Long-time leaders Buxton were confirmed as premier division champions after they triumphed 4-0 at Thackley.

Selby Town posted their first league game for nine matches when they toppled hosts Shirebrook 2-0 with goals by Steve Lyon and Michael Staley.

A similar scoreline was enjoyed by Pickering Town, also in the top-flight, at home to Mickleover Sports.

Conditions were testing in the gusting wind and the Pikes struggled to break the deadlock until 20 minutes from time when player-manager Alex Mathie brought himself on. His class told and a reorganised home side went ahead with a Dean McAuley penalty in the 75th-minute.

Seven minutes later, midfielder McAuley repeated his spot-kick feat to clinch the maximum haul.

Updated: 10:37 Monday, April 24, 2006