NESTLE Rowntree gave Dringhouses a close game before going down 3-2 in one of only two premier division games played in the York and District Leeper Hare Football League.

While most sides in the top flight were involved in York FA Cup action, Dringhouses picked up three points to move in to second place behind Malton Bacon Factory.

Paul Noon put 'Trees ahead with a shot from the edge of the box after 15 minutes and although Dringhouses pressed they could not create clear chances until a well worked move put in Joe Gaughan for the equaliser seconds before half-time.

Ten minutes after the restart Gaughan bagged his second when he latched on to a through ball and raced clear with the Rowntree defence appealing in vain for offside.

Dringhouses gained control of the game with Mick Lock and Andy Barkway creating an impenetrable defensive wall and it was Lock who netted their third with a chip shot over a crowded goalmouth after a corner.

Rowntrees freshened things up with three substitutions and one of them, Pete Sinclair, pulled one back with ten minutes to go but the Dringhouses defence held out without too much difficulty.

Osbaldwick entertained Wigginton Grasshoppers and Lee Bond put them in front on the half-hour mark when he latched on to a rebound after the Grasshoppers 'keeper had saved a Steve Dagnell penalty.

Grasshoppers equalised five minutes before half-time but their team plans were disrupted when the game was held up for 20 minutes in the second half by an injury to one of their players.

Osbaldwick took control after the restart with Bond restoring their lead and Danny Leach secured the points with two more strikes before the final whistle to seal a 3-1 win.

After last week's thumping at Hamilton Panthers, Huby managed to bounce back with a morale boosting 2-1 win in the derby game against visitors Easingwold in division one. Both their goals were from Eddie Myers with Rich Jennison scoring for Easingwold.

James Brown opened the scoring for Hamilton Panthers after 20 minutes at home to Stamford Bridge, who equalised on the hour through Mark Tomlinson. Ten minutes later Jimmy Tose put Panthers back in front only for Dean Dawson to glance a header into his own net to give Stamford another equaliser and a deserved 2-2 draw.

Poppleton broke new ground as they became the first York League team to play at Ouseburn in recent years and they celebrated the occasion with a 2-1 win against Ouseburn & Hammerton United.

Darren Hosfield put the home side ahead after only 15 minutes but James Barrett grabbed the equaliser five minutes before the break and Simon Hunt sealed the win with a goal 20 minutes from time.

LNER Builders made it two wins in a row on their return to division two with a 2-1 victory against an out-of-sorts Barmby Moor side. John Dean scored the only goal of the first half and Andy Tuite made it 2-0 in the 56th minute. Phil Goddard managed to pull one back from the penalty spot but Barmby never looked like gaining anything from the match.

Stillington and Elvington Harriers served up an entertaining 2-2 draw with Andrew Metcalfe putting the home side, Stillington, in the lead in the first minute. Harriers levelled before half-time with a Kevin Marsh strike and Jon Rogerson put them into the lead before Gavin Howell salvaged a point for Stillington with a last-minute goal.

Wilberfoss travelled to Amotherby & Swinton in division three and recorded a fine 2-1 win over the league's new boys. Neil Audlesey headed the home side in front in the 20th minute and Dave Bailes equalised just before half-time. Shaun Hodgson hit the Wilberfoss winner midway through the second half.

Marton cum Grafton enjoyed a 3-1 win over Sheriff Hutton with second-half goals from John Watson, Chris Chambers and Craig Martin.

Norton won 3-1 at home to Moor Lane with two goals from John Dutton and one from Roy Heslewood. Andrew Kenyon replied for Lane.

Updated: 12:19 Monday, September 23, 2002