Keighley Lifts dropped back into the relegation zone after going down 3-1 in their Silentnight Premier Division match with Embsay.

A slow start by Lifts cost them dearly as after 20 minutes they had gone two goals down, both being soft goals. No pace on the flanks meant that Lifts played down the middle and were caught out by Embsay's defence but somehow managed to keep the score down to two by half-time.

A different story in the second half, with Lifts using the strong wind well and keeping Embsay pinned in defence. Lifts reduced the arrears through Tony Cooper from a corner, and looked likely to get the equaliser they deserved until a break from defence caught Lifts square and Embsay gratefully slotted in a third and vital goal, leaving Lifts too much to do.

Cross Hills visited fellow strugglers Grassington United and honours were shared. Hills created most of the chances going but failed to convert them, while Grassington defended well and took the lead on the break.

Cross Hills equalised through Roger Miller and took the lead through Andrew Little. At this point Cross Hills looked good for the lead, but a lapse in defence saw the youngest player on the field score a fine equaliser for Grassington.

Bronte Wanderers travelled to Skipton Town looking for maximum points to stay in the top half of the table. Playing into a strong wind Bronte started strongly and quickly went ahead through Lee Nelson. More chances were created and squandered before Town equalised against the run of play.

Town, however, failed to take advantage of the strong wind and let in Bronte for a second right on half-time, when Rye Bailey put Bronte in a strong position. The second half saw Bronte doing all the attacking and some excellent football was played up to goal, but chances were wasted, the important third goal did not coming until a spectacular diving header from Sean Kavangh went in at the near post to put the match out of Town's reach.

Lothersdale Athletic knew they had to take something from their match with fellow promotion seekers Colne Shepherds to stay in the race.

They started well, going a goal up when Darren Holmes out-jumped the Colne defence to put a thundering header inside the post. His goal was followed by a quick run down the right and some excellent passing for David Bennett to put Dale two up. They could not add to this and let the home side creep back into the match and on half-time a soft goal gave them a lifeline.

Colne continued on top in the second half and soon equalised, then took the lead. Dale pushed forward and held Colne in their own penalty area. A great shot from Paul Smith brought it all square, and Dale should have had at least a point out of the match but with time running out Colne snatched a goal at the death, leaving no time for Dale to equalise.

Cowling visited Hellifield in a match from which both sides needed maximum points. Cowling are going for promotion and Hellifield needed the points to escape relegation.

Cowling started the stronger, even though they were playing into a strong wind, and took the game to Hellifield without being able to score until an angled drive from Graham Whittaker beat the keeper. However, Hellifield, using the wind strongly, hit back with a series of raids and eventually equalised before half-time.

The second half was dominated by Cowling, who did everything but score. A mixture of woeful finishing and excellent defending cost them maximum points and second place in the table.

In Division Two Sutton entertained Skipton LMS Reserves and ended up with the points after a competent display. Sutton started well and went a goal up in the opening attack through Danny Newton. This was quickly followed by number two when Gareth Brown jnr ended a good move down the right with an excellent shot.

Skipton were rarely in the match, and shortly before half-time Danny Newton made it 3-0 with his second. Skipton came into the match more in the second half, pulling a goal back, but Sutton were not going to squander the points now and more pressure brought a fourth goal with Gareth Brown jnr being the provider.

Silsden Athletic travelled to Horton and had to be satisfied with a point. Conditions were difficult for both teams, with defences on top in a goalless first half. From then on both sides went looking for the winner, but the defences held firm and the points were shared.

Cowling Reserves' promotion hopes in Division Three took a knock when they lost at home to Grassington United Reserves in a rehearsal of their forthcoming League Cup semi-final. Cowling, defending against the gale, could not cope with both the wind and Grassington's attack. They went a goal down early in the game, followed by two more before half-time.

In the second half Cowling were much brighter and should have scored straight from the kick-off, but Chris Lyons' shot was blocked. The first goal came when Ross Boothman headed home a cross from James Complin, then Complin brought Cowling back into the match with a good goal.

However, they relaxed and let Grassington score a fourth before Chris Galdes gave them hope again with a third goal. But the visitors, with the points in their grasp, added two more goals for a comfortable victory and confidence booster for the semi-final.