The FA Vase trail is over for another season for the NCEL after Pickering Town were sadly beaten in extra-time at Surrey side, Merstham.

Steve Baxter had put the Pikes into an early lead in the Fourth Round tie at the Combined Counties League outfit, finding the net after just two minutes.

But, they were almost immediately pegged back by Michael Morgan before Matt Francis put the hosts ahead with twenty minutes remaining.

Baxter added his second, however, to force extra time but it was Merstham who claimed a place in the last sixteen with goals in each period from Mark Simmons and Kwabema Agyei in a 4-2 victory.

In the Premier Division, a Rob Northen brace ensured Winterton Rangers kept a three point lead at the top of the table in a 2-1 win at Arnold Town.

The home side had gone ahead in the first half through Craig Mitchell but Northen popped up twice in the second period, once from the penalty spot, to claim the three points.

With Rangers not applying to move up to the UniBond League, Glapwell kept themselves firmly in pole position for promotion with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Eccleshill United.

All the goals came in the last half hour of the game with three in the final five minutes.

Mark Nangle opened the scoring for Glapwell and Ben Hardy levelled matters on 75 before the visitors opened up a two-goal lead with a double strike within a minute from Nangle and Ashley Grayson.

Chris Rosindale pulled one back from the penalty spot in injury time but Les McJannet's side held on for the win.

Third-placed Liversedge lost a little ground as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to fifth-placed Selby Town.

Bruno Holden grabbed a point for the Robins with a goal eleven minutes from time after Darryll Leach had put the hosts in front early in the second period.

Glasshoughton Welfare remained eight points adrift at the bottom of the Premier Division after a 2-1 defeat at home to Armthorpe Welfare, a win that propelled Armthorpe up into seventh.

The other two teams in the bottom three, Lincoln Moorlands Railway and South Normanton Athletic, also failed to pick up points.

Railway were beaten 3-1 at home to Mickleover Sports whilst South Normanton Athletic, who played most of the game with ten men after keeper Ross Whalin was sent off, lost 4-1 at Parkgate.

Two goals for Steve Ward, one a penalty, a John Pickess strike and a Chris Murdock own goal gave the hosts a comfortable victory whilst David Moon grabbed a consolation for the Shiners in stoppage time.

Brodsworth Welfare's recent good form continued as a 4-0 win at home to Thackley moved them out of the bottom four at the expense of their visitors.

Ryan Malee grabbed a hat-trick after Liam Wilkins had opened the scoring towards the end of the opening period.

And, Malby Main were held to a goalless draw at home to Shirebrook Town, but the visitors will rue a missed penalty that could have given them all three points.

The top three sides in Division One all won as the title chase and promotion race continues to hot up.

Michael Blythen scored all Dinnington Town's goals in a 3-1 win at Rainworth Miners Welfare to keep them two points clear at the top.

Second-placed Bottesford Town kept on their tail, however, as strikes from Craig Mitchell, Simon Roach and James Leach claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over visitors Borrowash Victoria.

And, Gedling Town kept themselves in the hunt as a couple of goals in the opening ten minutes from Will Heath saw them win 2-1 at home to Barton Town Old Boys.

Teversal remained fourth as Dean Short's 58th-minute strike picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Leeds Met Carnegie after Paul Harrison had given the hosts an early lead.

Rossington Main moved off the bottom of Division One as they beat Pontefract Collieries 3-0 at home to dump Ponte to the basement.

Lee Holmes struck twice before the hour mark before an injury time Bradley Billam goal ensured victory.

Daniel Simpson's twelfth-minute goal was enough for Staveley Miners Welfare at home to Tadcaster Albion whilst Yorkshire Amateur beat visitors Worsbrough Bridge Athletic 2-0.

538 people watched a rare Sunday game in the NCEL and it was a match full of drama and controversy.

Three players were sent off in the 2-2 draw between Scarborough Athletic and AFC Emley, with two from the home side and the visitors' keeper all getting their marching orders.

And, investigations are taking place into reports of a fracas in the tunnel at full-time.

On the pitch, Craig Hogg had put Athletic ahead after sixteen minutes before Marc Townsend levelled in the opening minute of the second period.

Scott Phillips restored the home side's lead only for them to be pegged back once again by a Steven Kenworthy strike nineteen minutes from time.