Eccleshill United 2, Garforth Town 1 - Eccleshill United earned a boost to their hopes of staving off relegation when they beat the side immediately below them in the Northern Counties East Premier Division.

Garforth Town trailed the Bradford side by just one point going into Saturday's clash at Plumpton Park but having played two games more were desperate to get a result. They pushed United all the way but a wonder goal from Paul Newsome six minutes from time ensured the home side took maximum points and kept them clear of the drop zone.

United had taken a 43rd minute lead but a penalty on the stroke of half time saw the visitors level at the break.

Following United skipper Richard Wilson's challenge on attacker John Francis, he stepped up to face home keeper Stuart Wilkinson.

"I have known John for over ten years," said Wilkinson. "He was in the first team at Burnley when I was an apprentice there. I know how hard he can strike a ball, he still has legs like tree trunks.

"I got my hands to the ball but there was no way I could keep it out. He might have got his goal but we won the game and I think overall we deserved that. It keeps our run going, we are unbeaten in the last five now, and I'm sure we can go on from here and get enough points to be safe."

United looked capable of extending their run and they were set on their way to their third victory in their last five by Karl Cochrane.

The former Halifax Town man netted with a header after beating the visitors keeper to a searching cross from Neil Grist in the 43rd minute.

Francis equalised into first half stoppage time but the icing on the cake for United was the goal from Newsome.

He turned two opponents when he chested the ball into his own path just inside his own half and raced 20 yards before curling a left foot shot into the top corner of the net from outside the area.