FOUR Bradford District sides make up the top four of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, but they had contrasting fortunes over the weekend.

Thackley arguably had the best Saturday of the lot, snatching a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 victory at fellow high-flyers Handsworth.

The hosts dominated in the early stages, with a header going inches wide, before Leon Howarth took the ball down well inside the box and fired a strike just past the post.

Yet it was Thackley who opened the scoring midway through the first half.

Former Everton youngster George Green worked the ball out wide to Asa Mitchell, whose low ball was turned into the bottom left corner by Danny Claridge.

Henry Carne produced a towering header eight minutes before the break to bring Handsworth back level and they roared out of the blocks in the second half too.

But Luke Wilson made a couple of excellent saves in one-on-one situations to prevent Thackley from falling behind.

Thackley began to fight back against the pressure from their hosts and Dylan Parkin was forced into a fine save from a powerful effort by Mark Everingham.

With both teams looking set for a point apiece, the Dennyboys stole victory in the 95th minute.

Finn Donovan worked his way into the box and shot, with the ball deflecting off his teammate Nathan Woodward and finding the back of the net.

That late winner keeps Thackley within three points of leaders Silsden, who were superb in beating Maltby Main 5-2.

Jake Maltby punished his namesakes with goals either side of the break, while Kayle Price also netted a brace for the Cobbydalers.

With Luke Brooskbank also scoring, Silsden were 5-0 up after an hour, but finishing with 10 men after Arley Barnes was forced off injured, Main gained some respectability with a couple of late goals.

Albion Sports should be just a point behind Silsden, but they were deducted three late last week for fielding an ineligible player in their opening day game against the Cobbydalers.

And it looked like being a terrible few days when they went 1-0 down at Rossington Main on Saturday, only for Owen Murphy to save the day with a last-gasp equaliser after the hosts had been reduced to 10 men.

Campion dropped to fourth after a humbling 5-0 defeat at Emley.

Eccleshill United are the one Bradford side who are struggling in that league, but Darwin King’s early goal helped them claim a solid point in a 1-1 away draw against Barton Town.

In a madcap North West Counties Football League First Division North encounter, Route One Rovers missed the chance to go second as they were beaten 5-3 at Runcorn Town.

Steeton suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, going down 2-1 at home to rock-bottom Nelson.

Liversedge soared up to 10th in the Northern Premier League East Division after crushing Winterton Rangers 5-1.

But Brighouse Town, like neighbours Bradford (Park Avenue), lost on penalties in the FA Trophy third qualifying round.

After a 1-1 draw, Vill Powell’s side lost the shootout 5-4.

Guiseley did make it through though, winning 3-1 at Gainsborough Trinity and they will visit Walsall Wood now in the first-round proper.

Meanwhile, their youth side will host Hartlepool United in the FA Youth Cup third qualifying round after beating their Gainsborough counterparts 7-0 on Friday night.

Finally, in National League North, Farsley Celtic earned a 2-1 victory at Scarborough Athletic.