CAMPION were knocked out of the West Riding County Cup last night but there was no disgrace in their exit as it came at Vanarama National League North promotion chasers Harrogate Town.

Simon Weaver’s side boast a huge advantage in league placings, and last season’s beaten finalists put out a strong team against a side in their first season on the non-league ladder.

The home side took an early lead as Marcus Day netted in the second minute but the minnows battled well and reached the break just that one goal behind.

But Town pulled away as the second half wore on, with some familiar faces on the scoresheet.

Former Guiseley man Wayne Brooksby doubled Town’s lead soon after the hour, and three minutes later Chib Chilaka, who was Bradford Park Avenue’s goal-scoring hero in the final when they won the trophy in 2015, made it 3-0.

Campion’s leading scorer Eli Hey pegged a goal back but Danny Ellis, another former Guiseley stalwart, wrapped up the scoring two minutes from time.

Park Avenue are still the holders after they defended their trophy at Valley Parade last season, and they will now travel to Harrogate Town in the quarter-finals.

Thackley were in league action but they missed out on an opportunity to close the gap on Premier Division leaders Cleethorpes Town in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League.

The Dennyboys travelled to Wayne Benn’s Hemsworth Miners' Welfare knowing that the Pontefract-based club were a little out of form.

It was the only game in the top tier this midweek, so Thackley would have gone to within four points of Cleethorpes with a win but they remain in second spot, seven points adrift after, they were beaten 2-1, thanks to a late strike from Bill Law.

Chris Reape’s side had led at the break after a 17th-minute own goal from Jack Steers, and it took Hemsworth until the 78th minute to restore parity.

Dominique Blair equalised before Law broke the Dennyboys’ hearts with just four minutes remaining.

Eccleshill United are back in action tonight in Division One as they face a second tough fixture on the trot.

The Eagles welcome second-placed Penistone Church, just four days after losing 3-2 at leaders AFC Emley.

Chris Lever gave Eccleshill a 12th-minute lead at Emley, and Matt Waller was on target from the penalty spot in the second half but a hat-trick from Ashley Flynn led to them being beaten.

The Eagles trail tonight’s visitors by 25 points following an inconsistent first half of the season.