With none of the top four playing in the Premier Division, the focus switched to the bottom of the table and the ever-intriguing relegation battle.

Glasshoughton Welfare became almost mathematically certain to be the basement side as they were beaten 3-1 at Long Eaton United.

It meant they would have to win all of their last four games to have any chance of missing out on the wooden spoon.

Courtney Bonnick gave the hosts a tenth minute lead and a Paul Mattison own goal doubled their advantage soon after.

Michael Buckley grabbed the third prior to the hour before Lewis Wallace claimed the late consolation for Welfare.

Meanwhile, the fight above Glasshoughton to avoid the bottom two is continuing to hot up.

South Normanton Athletic remained in nineteenth after losing 1-0 at fellow strugglers Lincoln Moorlands Railway.

Nick Robinson's 55th minute strike moved Railway up into seventeenth in what was a vital victory for them.

Railway climbed three points clear of Athletic and Maltby Main who were beaten 3-1 at home to Armthorpe Welfare.

Main had gone ahead through Daniel Payne with time running out but their fortunes changed completely before the final whistle.

A Stuart Preston brace and one from Liam Murhead in the last ten minutes gave the visitors a dramatic victory.

After the day's play, only four points separated Shirebrook Town in fifteenth and South Normanton leaving plenty to play for.

Elsewhere, goals for Dave Nicholas, Paul Bedford, Dave Watts and Oli Johnson moved Nostell Miners Welfare up to sixth.

Their 4-1 win at home to Eccleshill United saw Gary Birchall get the solitary strike for the Eagles.

Nostell remained three points behind fifth-placed Hallam who were comfortable 5-2 winners over visitors Mickleover Sports with a James Tevendale brace helping them to victory.

David Knaggs, Andrew Brownrigg and Rob Cam were the other hosts' scorers whilst Dave Middleditch and Mark Finlay found the net for Sports.

Three goals in the opening ten minutes then two in the last three made it a barnstorming start and finish to Parkgate's 4-1 win at Brodsworth Welfare.

Gavin Allott and Daniel Patterson had the visitors two-up after five minutes before Sean Gorman quickly pulled one back.

Ryan Johnson and Steve Ward then popped up with late goals to make sure of Parkgate's victory.

The only NCEL game without a goal came at the Flaxley Road Ground where Selby Town were held by Arnold Town.

Dinnington Town moved to within three points of the Division One title as they battled to a 2-1 win at Tadcaster Albion.

Only two sides ? Hall Road Rangers and Bottesford Town ? can stop them after an Ant Lynam penalty and a Ben Rosser winner put them within touching distance of the trophy.

They had to fight hard, though, against a resolute Tadcaster side who drew level through Michael Vickers early in the second period.

Rangers moved up into third with a 3-2 win at Staveley Miners Welfare who find themselves almost out of the chase for a top two spot after the defeat.

Staveley had gone ahead through Ryan Damms on eight minutes before Paul Palmer equalised almost immediately.

There was then a brief delay as home defender Chris Coy was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder.

Paul Palmer added his and Hall Road's second on 50 minutes and the third came from Jamie Barnwell near the hour mark.

Damms converted from the penalty spot with eight minutes remaining to make things tight but the visitors held on for three vital points.

They leapfrogged over Gedling Town who fell to a 4-3 defeat at Rossington Main with two penalties in the last thirteen minutes being their undoing.

Rossington had begun well with an eighth minute goal from Michael MacDonald and a second from Lee Holmes on 36.

But, Gedling fought back through Dennis Simms before the break, Barry Payne on 54 minutes and then they took the lead from the penalty spot with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

However, the referee then pointed to the spot twice in Rossington's favour and Sean Greaves showed great calmness to convert them both to pick up three priceless points for Main at the wrong end of the table.

Bottesford kept their hopes of a top two spot alive with a 1-0 win at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.

Paul Bell's 32nd minute goal moved them up into fifth place, four points behind second-placed Rainworth Miners Welfare.

And, Teversal were held to a 3-3 draw at home to AFC Emley.