HUNTINGTON Rovers extended their lead at the top of the York Minster Engineering League premier division by defeating Sporting Knavesmire 2-0 while title rivals Old Malton St Mary's were held to a goalless draw by Thorpe United.

Will Pepper put Huntington ahead around the half-hour mark, volleying home a Danny Snaith cross which had evaded the Knavesmire keeper and a cluster of defenders.

Their second came following some good play by JP Vass down the left side. He then found Alex Burton, with the striker taking a touch before lashing the ball home from 25 yards.

The deadlock in the game in Malton means that St Mary's are now four points behind although they still have two games in hand.

Dringhouses kept the leaders in their sights after dispatching reigning champions Wigginton Grasshoppers 4-1.

The first 15 minutes were fairly even but when Sam Ripley-Kitson rose to head home on the quarter-hour mark, Houses never looked back.

Wiggy's woes began with the goal and were quickly increased when they were reduced to 10 men a couple of minutes later.

The home side made their extra man tell and doubled their lead via Liam Robertson from the penalty spot. Grasshoppers enjoyed their best spell of the game in the run-up to half-time and were rewarded when Kain Rogerson made it 2-1 with a 20-yard drive.

However, a third Dringhouses goal after half-time effectively ended the contest, Ben Lock racing onto a long ball and lobbing the advancing Wigginton keeper.

A second red card for the visitors with 12 minutes remaining added to their misery before Matty Mulhearn put the finishing touches to Dringhouses' festive celebrations, sprinting away from the Wiggy back line before slotting the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Neale Holmes and Jordan Holt were the Hoppers duo to see red.

Kirkbymoorside leapfrogged Poppleton United in the table after a strong performance saw them beat them 4-2 - their fifth successive win.

A superb first-half performance saw the Moorsiders create plenty of chances, with Keelan Simpson and Dan Marshall both being denied early doors.

The home side were rewarded for their pressure when Dan Ward struck from the edge of the area after being teed up by Olly Varey.

By the 15-minute mark, it was 2-0, Marshall rounding the keeper and cutting back from a tight angle to beat a covering defender before slotting home.

A short spell of pressure then came from Poppy but they could not break through and were made to pay the price when Matty Butler headed home to make it 3-0 five minutes before the interval.

Three minutes later, Simpson sprinted 50 yards to convert a Marshall cross and give Kirkby a 4-0 advantage at the break.

Poppleton fought back and restored some pride in the second period, a headed goal and a penalty giving the 4-2 final scoreline a more respectable look.

Copmanthorpe pulled six points clear of bottom club Osbaldwick following a 7-2 victory over Hemingbrough United.

Ben Jones hit a hat-trick with Nick Hutchinson (2), Craig Atkinson and Jake Moyse also finding the net. Cop remain six points adrift of safety but have both Hemingbrough and Sporting Knavesmire back in their sights.

Man-of-the-match Josh Tinker scored the only goal of the game as Church Fenton gained a 1-0 success at Osbaldwick.

Dunnington scored a 2-0 triumph over Tadcaster Magnets to retain fifth in the table. Simon Castle and Darren Sellars bagged their goals.