ALBION Sports’ return to action after almost a fortnight ended with a home defeat to a Pontefract Collieries side, who underlined their title credentials with a 1-0 victory at Throstle Nest.

The Albion Lions had been sidelined following two postponements since their shock 3-2 home defeat to relegation-threatened Parkgate a week last Saturday.

They began well in an even start to last night’s game against Ponte but the visitors snatched the points that lifted them one place to third in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Ponte grabbed the all important strike just before the break when Aaron Moxam’s firm header went in off a post.

Albion rallied in the second half, and Alex Cusack was on the end of their best moves and went close on a number of occasions.

Luck was not on the side of the Lions though and they were denied by the woodwork when a second-half effort came back off the bar and a strong penalty appeal late on was waved away.

Albion remain in 14th place but Ponte’s sixth consecutive victory sees them ten points off leaders AFC Mansfield but with six games in hand.

There was also no joy for Campion as they went down 4-3 at Ollerton Town in Division One, despite a spirited second-half display.

The hosts raced into a two-goal lead as Kyle Ludlow broke the deadlock in the third minute after the visitors’ keeper could only parry, and the same player netted an 11th-minute stooping header.

The black and reds pegged one back through Leon Hurles-Brooke but Gavin King also netted a first-half brace to give the Newark- based outfit a 4-1 lead at the interval.

James Bicknell’s men rallied in the second half and Devonte Morton cut the deficit late on before a last-minute penalty was converted by Aidan Day to leave Campion on the end of a narrow defeat.

There was nothing but frustration for Campion’s rivals Eccleshill United as the Eagles’ home fixture against promotion-chasing rivals Yorkshire Amateur was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Mitton Group Stadium.

With Sean Regan’s men sidelined, a victory for Grimsby Borough - 6-0 at home to struggling Nostell Miners' Welfare - enabled them to leapfrog Eccleshill into second place.

However, the Eagles now have a game in hand on Boro, who are now two points better off.