THE first relegation from the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division was confirmed on Saturday when Nostell Miners' Welfare were beaten 2-1 by Albion Sports.

But it was far from a straightforward home win for Kulwinder Sandhu’s men at Throstle Nest.

They fell behind early on and needed a stoppage-time winner to bank the points.

Nostell’s Steve Smith netted the only goal of the first half when he pounced after Sports’ keeper Kyle Trennery had parried a 37th-minute shot.

The home side dominated possession in the first half and almost went into the break on terms after Alex Cusack rattled the bar with a vicious volley.

Midway through the second half, Levi Maturine, who was only in the side because Marcus Edwards was out injured, lobbed the visiting keeper.

That was a good finish but it was Ferdinand Annor’s 91st-minute strike that brought the house down.

Thackley suffered a narrow defeat to title-chasing Tadcaster Albion as a former European Champions League winner graced the Dennyfield turf.

Former Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening netted the winning goal in a 3-2 win for Taddy.

Jonathan’s brother Josh had netted twice to give the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead before the Champions League medal holder added a third after the break.

It was the all-important one as the Dennyboys hit back with Thomas Dugdale grabbing a late brace.

Liversedge faced more postponement woe as their game at Retford United was washed out.

The NCE League’s leading scorer Ashley Flynn came to promotion-chasing AFC Emley’s rescue in Division One when he scored an injury-time penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw against Eccleshill United.

The Eagles had taken the lead from a spot-kick of their own as Luke Harrop slotted in eight minutes from time.

But the home side’s late pressure led to the penalty, and Flynn, who had plundered 54 league goals in his 68-goal haul for the season, despatched it.

The Eagles should have hosted Lincoln Moorlands Railway tonight but the troubled basement boys have resigned from the league with two games remaining.