ESCAPE artists Tate & Lyle are on course to avoid relegation from the Leeper Hare York & District Football League’s top flight for the second time in 12 months.

The Selby side beat Malton & Norton 2-1 on Saturday and, having taken seven points from three games, could yet repeat last year’s feat.

Dave Reasbeck gave Tate & Lyle the lead midway through the second half and, five minutes later, Chris Harkin doubled their lead.

The Ryedale side reduced the deficit ten minutes from time through Andrew Thornton.

Old Malton need one more win from their remaining four games to ensure they are runners-up after Dave Bell scored the only goal of the game at Kartiers.

Champions Hamilton Panthers received the trophy from Peter Gibson, the league secretary, after their 3-3 draw with York St John.

The students took an early lead but, before the break, Panthers were 3-1 in front with goals from Darren Branden, Liam Stilgoe and Craig McShane.

A brilliant penalty save from Panthers ’keeper Greg Gulliver denied the students victory.

Dunnington beat Wigginton 7-2 thanks to a Steve Hadden hat-trick and goals from Andrew Cox, Scott Sullivan, Chris Burgess and Robert Chipps. Luke Roberts scored twice for Wigginton.

In division one, Matty Bean scored a hat-trick in Amotherby’s 4-0 win at Norwich Union, while Luke Richardson scored twice for York RI in a 3-2 win over Rufforth.

Tadcaster, who have two games remaining, beat Bishopthorpe 4-2 with goals from Darren Wilson (2), Simon Wright and Brad Dowling.

The Bish scorers were Tom Green and Neil Sanderson.

Thorpe won 1-0 at Pocklington, courtesy of a Dean Wood goal.

Champions Riccall extended their unbeaten home run to 17 games as they drew 3-3 with Nestlé.

Stamford Bridge eased their relegation worries with a 3-0 win at Easingwold. Harry Bryant hit a first half brace and James Wilmoth confirmed the win.

Hemingbrough won promotion from division two as they beat a weakened Moor Lane side 9-0.

Danny Smith scored six to add to a Luke Zacharenko hat-trick.

Heworth need to win their remaining two games to gain promotion after they lost 2-1 at home to Elvington. Luke Dove scored twice, either side of Lee Bunce’s goal for Heworth.

St Clement’s raced into a 5-1 lead at White Horse with goals from Scott Nicholas, Stuart Kehoe, Dean Farrier, Dave Adams and Jordan Hornby.

The Church Fenton side went down 5-4, with Lenny Mason, Dave Marshall, Adam Beavers and Nigel Chester scoring their goals.

Division three leaders Terrington Glory beat Stillington 6-2. Ben Richardson (2), Danny Bulmer (2), Josh Ward and Danny Mead netted.

Chris Tatterton scored twice for Barmby Moor as they beat Civil Service 3-1.

Shaun Gandy and Spencer Pearson scored for Selby Olympia in a 2-0 win at Wheldrake.