Winterton Rangers tightened their grip on second spot in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division with a 1-0 victory at Garforth Town in midweek.

In what was a very tight game, it took until the 89th minute for a decider and that came from the penalty spot, courtesy of Martin Pembleton.

It means that, in the chase for the runners-up place that will mean an Inter-Step Play-Off for a chance of promotion, Rangers are ten points clear of third-placed Emley AFC but they have played three games more.

Penistone Church are up to fourth after their 2-1 victory at Maltby Main, Wayne Hughes and Josh Brown claiming the points for the visitors after Alexander Hardwick had given the Muglet Lane side a 24th minute lead.

Church jump above Garforth as well as Hallam who went down 2-1 to visitors Albion Sports, Oliver Fearon with the goal for the Countrymen after Hass Gorji and Thomas Ponter had struck for the Lions.

Sports climb to ninth after the victory and a 1-1 draw 48 hours later on Thursday night at home to Silsden AFC, Gorji striking once again with an equaliser to cancel out Jack Normanton's first half opener.

In Division One, Harrogate Railway Athletic reclaim second spot as a Joel Freeston hat-trick helped them to a 4-1 home win over Armthorpe Welfare whose play-off hopes are hit by the defeat.

Kane Reece had put the away side ahead before Fatlum Ibrahimi equalised and Freeston came off the bench on his debut to turn the game completely in the Rail's favour.

Horbury Town stay seventh and also had their promotion ambitions dented a little by a 1-0 home loss to Wakefield AFC who have already qualified for the play-offs, Mason Ruble with the only goal of the game in the 49th minute.

There was a 0-0 draw between Brigg Town and Shirebrook Town, a point apiece not much good for either team in their quest for the play-offs and battle to avoid relegation, respectively.

Parkgate remain just above the trapdoor after their 3-1 loss at Nostell Miners Welfare, Taylor Nicholson putting the Steelmen in front before a Reagan Waud double and a late Tawheed Ahmed strike meant the victory belonged to the hosts.

That win has all-but assured Nostell of survival with three games remaining whilst Worsbrough Bridge Athletic have also allayed their relegation fears with a 7-0 victory at Ollerton Town.

Alex Hutchinson's hat-trick was added to by an own goal, two for Luke Francis and one for Silas Valladolid-Collins and the Briggers are now seven points clear of the drop zone in fourteenth spot.

Photo: A scramble for the ball during Harrogate Railway Athletic's 4-1 home win over Armthorpe Welfare on Tuesday night. (Picture: Craig Dinsdale)