Dunnington kept their slender title hopes alive as they beat Poppleton United 3-1 in one of only two matches to beat the weather in the York Minster Engineering Football League premier division.

The victory moved the reigning champions up to fourth in the table, nine points behind leaders Old Malton St Mary’s with a game in hand.

Tom Richards bagged a brace for the hosts, with Jimmy Wilmoth adding the third.

Adam Ferguson struck for Poppleton.

York St John finally moved into a positive points tally with a 1-0 home triumph over a lacklustre Easingwold Town.

The win was students’ third of the campaign, but they have suffered two points deductions already this campaign for misdemeanours which had served to keep them on a mark of zero points.

It remains to be seen whether their usual great escape from the drop can happen again, especially with only six games left, but Lee Winslow’s goal sealed a welcome win and kept their faint hopes alive.

In division one, Church Fenton White Horse failed to keep up the pressure on promotion rivals Osbaldwick as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Tockwith.

White Horse still hold the advantage as they are four points behind with two games in hand, but they cannot afford any more slip ups if they want top flight football next season.

Luke Zacharenko took his season’s tally to 14 goals as he hit a double to help Hemingbrough United to a 5-2 home win over basement club Malton & Norton.

The hosts’ other goals were provided by Jamie Wheeler, Adrian Wood and Johnny Wileman.

Callum Holmes hit a brace for the Ryedale side, who must now win their last two games if they are to stand any chance of surviving.

Heslington and Thorpe both threw their hats back into the ring as the division two promotion race began to heat up.

Third-placed Heslington hit six without reply at relegated Wilberfoss, their haul coming from Martin Pepper (2), James Hughes (2), Russ Carr and Stuart Dickenson.

Thorpe’s 8-0 rout of lowly Barmby Moor left them three points behind second-placed F1 Racing with a game in hand. Josh Brigham and Dave Reasbeck netted hat-tricks, with the Selby side’s other goals coming from Dean Wood.

Ouseburn United were 6-0 winners over Huby United in division three’s only game.

Chris Simpson hit a hat-trick to take his season’s total to 22 goals in all competitions, with United’s other goals coming from Russell Robshaw, man of the match Ben Jones and an own goal.

• Don’t miss The Press tomorrow for more league reports.