The race for the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division has moved further in Pontefract Collieries' favour even though they did not take part in matches played on Wednesday or Thursday.

The two other teams in the chase for the title both dropped points with leaders AFC Mansfield going down 3-0 at Albion Sports in a match in which they were reduced to nine men with the second-half dismissals of Matthew Plummer and Liam Marsden.

They were 2-0 down before the red cards were shown with Alex Cusack and Paul Beesley scoring in quick succession midway through the first period and then Cusack's second with twenty minutes remaining ensured the Lions took the victory.

Mansfield remain eight points clear of Pontefract but the Colls now have six games in hand and three more than third-placed Pickering Town who drew 2-2 at Penistone Church to move within two points of the top two.

The Pikes thought all three points were theirs thanks to a Ryan Blott penalty and a goal from Joe Danby but Penistone battled back in the last five minutes to share the spoils with Ashley Ellis and Kieran Ryan getting on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, there were home wins for the other two sides in the top five as a Jed Phillips double helped Handsworth Parramore to a 3-1 success over Liversedge, Alex Rippon with their other goal and Rhys Davies netting for the visitors.

And, it was a 4-2 victory for Maltby Main against Bottesford Town, Steven Hopewell's brace added to by Cameron Rigby and Ross Duggan with the away side's goals coming from Declan Bacon and Dayle Hutson.

In Division One, Shirebrook Town's fifth win in a row has moved them up into third spot, now just four points away from the automatic promotion places, Daniel Williams' late strike claiming a 1-0 home victory over Nostell Miners Welfare.

Retford United were 3-0 victors in the massive bottom two clash with visitors Brigg Town, Reece Treasure's first-half opener added to after the interval by a double from Kyle Sampor to move them out of the basement and to within three points of safety.

And, Campion kept their outside chances of a play-off spot alive as Daniel Cunningham and Matthias Britton netted in each half for a 2-0 win at AFC Emley that moves them up to eighth, six points away from the top six.

Match Highlights