A goal just before the hour from skipper Craig Sugden was enough to earn Thackley all three points from this meeting with the Northern Counties East Premier Division's basement outfit.

The home side deserved their win but they failed to impress and it was only a flag from one of the assistant referees that put the issue beyond doubt. Sugden's header from a half-cleared Darron Morris corner was hacked out by a defender but not before the linesman had seen it cross the line.

On a heavy, stamina-draining surface, good football was at a premium but Thackley should have had their opponents closed out.

"It was hard work. They didn't look like a bottom of the table side," admitted Thackley's assistant manager John Boyle.

"In the first half we were definitely under par. After the break we were better, we had most of the game. But full credit to them they battled and did well.

"The defining moment must have been the goal, it was well observed by the assistant referee. It was a good corner from Morris but the first header was hacked away and then Sugi's header was kicked out but from behind the line."

Morris was in the starting line-up because leading scorer Andy Patterson is suffering from bronchitis and that will be a major blow ahead of tomorrow's night's West Riding County Cup quarter-final with Farsley Celtic.

Thackley are already without suspended midfielder Mark Senior and Dave Nelson who is unavailable.

l James Riley has made the England Schoolboy under-18 squad for the forthcoming games with all the home nations.

The young centre back has come through the ranks at Thackley and has featured heavily in the first team. He was voted Academy Player of the Season last term even though he was two years younger than most of his counterparts.

"I am absolutely delighted, but a bit surprised to have made it through," he said.

Barring injury he will be lining up against Northern Ireland on March 7 before games against the Republic of Ireland, Wales and Scotland.