THACKLEY'S recent Northern Counties East League resurgence was underlined as they spanked Athersley Recreation 5-1 to move level on points with the 13th-placed club.

It was a fourth win in five Premier Division games for the Dennyboys and their most impressive in that sequence.

It took them a while to break the deadlock but, just two minutes after Ryan Farrell's 35th-minute opener, Mike Garrod doubled the home side's lead.

Tom Dugdale made it three in the second half before Farrell added his own second. Athersley hit a penultimate-minute consolation through Ryan White but Mark Trueman restored the hosts' four-goal lead.

Meanwhile, neighbours Liversedge twice came from a goal down at home to fellow strugglers Armthorpe Welfare, only to lose 3-2.

Rich Smith gave the visitors an early lead but Tom Jackson levelled midway through the first half.

Joe Lumsden edged the visitors back in front with just over a quarter of an hour remaining and although Jackson notched his second six minutes later, Smith hit Welfare's 88th-minute winner.

Eccleshill United slipped to a second consecutive 2-1 defeat in Division One after a second-half snow shower at Hallam.

The first half was played in bright sunlight and the hosts struck the only goal, Michael Blythen on target in the 36th minute with a back- post header.

The Eagles were punished for losing possession in midfield in the 68th minute as Jonathan Fusco went on to double the home side's advantage.

Substitute Josh Rosenstrauch's reply came too late for Eccleshill to complete a comeback.