FULFORD 'A' are still favourites to take York Conservative Clubs Snooker League title - despite a second defeat on the trot.

Bootham 'A' were their conquerors this time, coming from 3-2 down to win 4-3 in a black-ball decider.

Tom Wilson beat Rob Barron on the black ball to put Fulford ahead, but Nathan Brown beat Sam Parkinson (22 break) again on the black, to level, and Andy Wynn beat Sam England to put Bootham ahead.

David Sattaur and Russ Shaw beat Colin Robinson and Tim Fillingham respectively to turn things round.

But Barry Rankin beat Tom Lewis to level and Stuart Martel held his nerve in the decider to beat David Reed (28 break) on the black.

Fulford 'A' stay top with three matches to play but Heworth 'A', while having only two matches to play, are only four points behind and take on the leaders on the last night.

The Heworth side missed their chance to close the gap, though, as they lost 4-3 to Acomb 'B'.

Nick Goodacre and Chris Nicholson beat Neal Wood and John Dowd respectively to put Acomb two up before Gary Douglas kept up his winning form by beating Kevin Ventress to halve the gap.

Richie Burdett then rattled up a 52 break but it was not enough as he lost to Acomb captain Steve Rodgers.

Craig Pullan and Steve Burdett levelled the match by defeating Andy Wade and Andy Stone, but Jon Milner beat James Kilmartin in the decider.

Acomb 'A' appear to have left their title challenge too late despite a 5-2 victory over Malton.

Acomb took the first four frames as Paul Holmes beat Alan Sheppy, Richard Lillie beat Dominic Spiteri, Trevor Ventress beat Phil Hart, and Keith Thornhill overcame Steve Beal on the black.

Malton reduced the deficit with Roger Ward (25 break) defeating Nick Marchant, and Chris Atkinson getting the better of Jeff Keen. But Mick Borg gave Acomb the final frame, beating Dan Pawson.

Bootham 'B' had a hard-fought victory over Fulford 'B'.

Paul Schofield beat Aaron Spiers to put them ahead, but it was level as Chris Thompson lost to Phil Cooke on the black.

Captain Ian Robinson was heading for defeat against Alan Reed but Reed went in-off when attempting to pot the pink for the frame, leaving the ball over the pocket. Robinson took advantage.

In-form Lionel Barnes then beat Dean Smith, and Peter Rivis beat Bob Smith to make it 4-1.

Mo Mohammed (22 clearance) defeated Paul Powell before Paul Mahoney beat Glen Mountain to take the last frame.