Thackley’s outside hopes of winning the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division title, and gaining the only promotion place that goes with it, diminished following a 3-2 defeat at Long Eaton United.

The hosts took the lead when Shaun Rickford stabbed in from close range but the Dennyboys levelled minutes later. James Firth got his head to a corner and his effort was deflected past the home keeper by Lewis Morgan.

Into the second half, Long Eaton retook the lead when Ross Parker’s free-kick took a wicked deflection before beating Dennyboys keeper Ben Higginson.

The contest was over when Courey Grantham broke down the left and cut inside to put the home side 3-1 up.

Nicky Matthews bagged another goal for the Dennyboys when he lobbed the keeper, who had punched clear following an 80th-minute corner, but it was merely a consolation.

Rivals Liversedge went down 5-0 at second-placed Barton Town.

Scott Phillips broke the deadlock after just two minutes and Ryan Cooper made it 2-0.

In a one-sided second half, Gareth Barlow netted twice and Ashley Lattimore also got on the scoresheet.

Eccleshill United picked up a point from a top-seven clash in Division One.

New signing Logan McDaniel marked his Eagles debut with a first-half brace, opening the scoring in the fifth minute and adding midway through the half.

However, Pontefract Collieries hit back before the break with two goals in a three-minute spell, through Andrew Catton and Kingsley Wetherald.

The single point did neither any favours but it kept Ponte above Eccleshill in the table, although they are only two points better off and have played one game more.