FULFORD 'B' held onto top spot in the York Conservative Clubs Carlsberg UK Snooker League despite losing 4-3 to Acomb 'B'.

Fulford have 55 points and lead the league by two but with only one match to play.

They are chased by Acomb 'A' on 53, Bootham 'A' on 52 and Fulford 'A' on 51, all of whom have two matches left.

Acomb 'B' captain Steve Rodgers put his side one up as he beat Dean Smith, but Phil Cooke (32 break) levelled with victory over Chris Nicholson - maintaining his chance of nicking the Player of the Year Cup.

Andy Stone later secured Acomb's victory, his win over Fabian Sueese making it 4-1, before Fulford's Lee Eelveridge and Dave Reed won the last two frames to keep them at the summit.

Champions Acomb 'A' took the first two frames against Bootham 'B' as Mick Borg (29 break) beat Chris Thompson on the black and Dan Potter (36 break) defeated Ian Robinson.

But Bootham won the next four frames to take the spoils, through Matt Smith, Paul Mahoney, Paul Powell and Andy Proud beating Keith Thornhill, Paul Holmes, Jon Milner and Trevor Ventress respectively. Proud benefited from flukes on both the blue and pink to win the frame.

The last frame was a walkover for Acomb.

Bootham 'A' got back to winning ways to retain title hopes, beating Heworth 'A' 4-3 - despite losing two frames on the black.

Heworth's Kevin Gall (35 break) beat Jeff Brown, and Steve Burdett won on the black against Andy Wynn, but wins for Rob Barron and Tim Fillingham over Dave Beattie and Mark Winskill (25 break) levelled the match.

Gary Douglas won the other black-ball finish against Colin Robinson, but Barry Rankin and Stuart Martel took the last two frames for Bootham, against Keith Watkinson and Clive Whyte respectively.

Malton beat Heworth 'B' 4-3 in a ding-dong game.

Malt went two up as Steve Pawson and Dan Pawson beat Pete Henderson and Andy Ogley respectively, but Heworth turned things round as Martin Johnson beat Dominic Spiteri, John Sherlock defeated Steve Beal and Andy Hurley beat Roger Ward.

Malton won the last two frames, though, as Chris Atkinson defeated Carl De Pasquale and Phil Hart won the captains' battle against Simon Whiteley.

The Player of the Year Cup also looks like going to the wire.

Paul Mahoney (Bootham 'A') is top after a 12th victory, with three players having hope of usurping him - Tom Lewis and Phil Cooke (both Fulford 'A'), who are both on 11, and Sam England (Fulford 'A'), on 10.

Meanwhile, the Fosters Challenge Trophy was decided at Fulford Club with Andi Ireland (Heworth 'B') beating holder Jon Milner (Acomb 'A') 3-1 in the final.

The first two frames - tight affairs with neither player able to compose a meaningful break - were shared.

In the third, Ireland moved 30 points ahead and finished the frame with a break of 17, Milner conceding 50 points behind.

Neither player again managed to find an opening in frame four before Ireland, 46-41 up, took the blue and pink for the match.

Alan Reed, chairman of Faber Shield, presented the awards.