Champions elect Grimsby Borough took a further step towards confirming the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division crown on Saturday with a 3-0 home win over another side chasing promotion, Penistone Church.

Jack Debnam and Owen Davey gave the Wilderness Boys a two goal cushion by midway through the first half and Adam Drury netted the third just before the interval for a win that moves them fourteen points clear at the top of the table.

It keeps their unbeaten home record intact and means they now only need four points from their remaining four games to secure the title.

The scramble for the second promotion place continues with Garforth Town now holding that position after a 1-0 win at home against the side who were there at the start of play, Eccleshill United.

It was a dramatic injury-time winner from Charlie Marshall that gave the Miners the victory and they go a point ahead of the Eagles who drop to third.

Sherwood Colliery move to within two points of the top two in fourth after a Gareth Curtis double and a William Norcross strike secured them a 3-0 win at home to Staveley Miners Welfare and they climb above Penistone who drop to fifth.

And, sixth-placed Winterton Rangers continue their excellent run of form, Daniel Walker and Paul Grimes scoring in their 2-0 home win over bottom side Athersley Recreation to claim their eighth straight victory and they are now four points off second.

Athersley, meanwhile, are on the verge of having their relegation place confirmed as they are now sixteen points away from safety with six games to play.

Albion Sports claimed a massive win in their bid to avoid the drop, a double from Mohammed Qasim added to by Aran Basi securing a 3-1 defeat of visitors Knaresborough Town, and that puts them five points clear of the bottom two.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare, who occupy the other relegation place, were beaten 1-0 at Emley AFC, Samuel Pashley with the 88th minute winner that moves the Pewits up into tenth.

Harrison Coley and Benjamin Hinchliffe's goals in the second half claimed Barton Town a 3-1 win at Handsworth whilst Goole AFC also won on their travels, Shaun Heselwood and Dylan Collington helping the Vikings to a 2-1 victory at Maltby Main.

Luke Walker's early goal ensured a 1-0 win for AFC Mansfield at Silsden AFC and Thackley were 3-2 victors at home to Bottesford Town with Christopher Lever getting what proved to be their vital third.

The day's biggest NCEL crowd was 1,048 who saw the top two clash in Division One at Sandygate with hosts Hallam running out 3-1 winners to move six points clear at the summit.

North Ferriby took the lead through Danny Emerton but a Liam Royles penalty brought the home side level on 28 minutes and, with the visitors also down to ten men, a double from Brandon Bradbury gave the Countrymen what could prove to be a vital victory.

Joseph Crosby and Kieran Greenaway netted for Harrogate Railway Athletic in a 2-0 win at Brigg Town and the Rail leapfrog over their hosts into third spot as the chase for promotion for intensifies.

Fifth-placed Rossington Main were held 1-1 by visitors Swallownest, Bradley Grayson's equaliser for Main quickly cancelling out a 53rd minute opener from Jack Watts, allowing the chasing pack to close the gap to the last play-off place.

Retford FC, Parkgate and Selby Town were all victorious and strengthen their hopes of a top five finish with Retford currently at the front of the queue, five points behind Rossington, after Haydn Goddard and Alex Wonham secured them a 2-0 win at Hall Road Rangers.

Brandon Bagley got the only goal of the game for Parkgate in their success at Rainworth Miners Welfare whilst Daniel Davison, Ryan Cooper and Liam Flanagan got on the scoresheet in Selby's 3-0 defeat of hosts Armthorpe Welfare.

Basement side Teversal claimed their second win of the season with late goals from Kamau Leverock and Cameron Pinnick snatching a 2-1 home victory over Glasshoughton Welfare.

That win means that Teversal have delayed confirmation of a relegation place as they are fifteen points away from Swallownest, the team just outside the drop zone, with five games to play but a far worse goal difference means it is now almost certainly assured.

Clipstone remain in danger, now three points from safety, after a 6-0 home loss to Ollerton Town, the visitors continuing their recent goal rush with a Gavin King hat-trick, two from Oliver Grady, and one from substitute Oscar Seth with his first touch on his debut.

Dronfield Town's fifth consecutive win came at Shirebrook Town, Sam Terry, Stuart Hill and Connor Chapell with the goals in a 3-1 victory that sees them continue their climb up the table into twelfth.

And, in Friday night's match, there was a goalless draw between Nostell Miners Welfare and their visitors Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.

Photo: Nathan Keightley heads home for Penistone Church but the goal is disallowed for offside in their 3-0 defeat at Toolstation NCEL Premier Division champions elect Grimsby Borough. (Picture: Keith Clayton)