The battle to avoid relegation from the York Minster Engineering Football League premier division looks like going down to the wire.

Hamilton Panthers moved to within two points of safety with a 3-0 home win over Kartiers as Poppleton and Easingwold continued their slide towards the drop zone.

Panthers ended a run of 15 games without a win against the Kartiers basement boys. Jack Condren gave them a half-time lead and two second half goals from Adam Ferguson sealed the points.

York St John moved away from the bottom four after condemning Easingwold to a tenth game without a win. Mike Widderley’s hat-trick earned the students a 3-1 success.

Poppleton’s winless run also extended into double figures as they were beaten 3-1 at Copmanthorpe.

Matty Bastock got a goal to add to a Robin Bedford brace, which took his total for the season to 21. Robbie Orr replied for Poppleton. Three wins from their remaining seven matches should be enough for Dringhouses to take the title after a 5-2 home win over Wilberfoss.

Craig Mathie gave the visitors an early advantage but two goals in the final five minutes of the first half from Danny Gray and Mick McKenzie swung the game.

Gray completed his hat-trick in the second half and, although Mark Hughes responded, Marco Shepherd wrapped up the points.

Huntington are second, ten points adrift, after a 6-2 win at Riccall. Gary Collier scored twice in the first half for the hosts to cancel out strikes from Dale Waddington and John James. After the interval James and Danny Franks got two more each.

Scott Sullivan was among the scorers as Dunnington moved into third place with a 3-1 home win over Tadcaster Albion. Two goals from Ben Janes and one each Chris Dyson and Jamie Green helped Haxby to a 4-1 win over Old Malton, whose scorer was John Newton. Malton & Norton kept their faint division one promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 win at Tockwith. Marcus Godsell hit both their goals. Champions Wigginton needed two Ben Coates equalisers to preserve their unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw at home to Pocklington.

Luke Zacharenko scored twice for Hemingbrough in a 6-1 victory over Thorpe. Steve Irvine, Craig Allen, Tom Collins and Adie Wood also netted.

Division two leaders Terrington Glory lost 4-2 at Strensall as goals from Ben Richardson and Alex Yates were cancelled out by John Etherton, John Cooper, Shaun Lyons and Chris Cooper.

Second-placed Amotherby & Swinton beat hosts Ouseburn 1-0 thanks to a Matty Hood goal.

Matty Warriner gave third-placed Crayke the lead at White Horse, but Alex Sykes snatched a point, while Rawcliffe and Heworth drew 0-0.

Heslington’s 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge came thanks to goals from Andy Lee, Gareth Fisher and Alex Sutherland. Chris Smith responded. Cliffe, the division three leaders, beat visitors Fulford 2-1. Sam Harrison netted from the spot for Fulford, but Chris Jackson levelled with a penalty and Tom Hogg hit the winner.

Aviva maintained their promotion push with a 3-1 win over Rufforth thanks to Mark Benton (2) and Alex Dickson.

Elvington lost 3-1 at Wheldrake despite Ben Small’s 15th goal of the season putting them in front. Rob Orr and Robin Rushton (2) won it for Wheldrake.

In division four Tadcaster Magnets’ Craig Heard hit his ninth hat-trick of the season in a 6-1 win at KS Polonia.

• Don’t miss The Press tomorrow for reserve team reports.