ECCLESHILL United missed the chance to close the gap on mid-table rivals Goole AFC as the Vikings claimed a 4-2 home victory despite ending with nine men as they leapt up to ninth in the Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division.

It was all action at the Victoria Pleasure Ground as the home side took a third-minute lead, striker Niah Payne netting a shot off the inside of the post, before the Eagles equalised in the sixth minute, Guiseley youngster Tabish Hussain marking his loan spell with a first goal for United.

Two more goals in quick succession later in the half saw the sides going into the break all square. Lee Elam’s men briefly led after Jonny Irving lashed a shot into the top corner immediately after Goole had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside, but Irving’s strike was cancelled out two minutes later as Keiran Mortimer headed the Vikings’ equaliser from a 38th minute corner.

The second half was every bit as breathless as the Vikings got back in front from the restart with former Guiseley Academy and Liversedge striker Devonte Newman-Morton firing past Eagles’ keeper Jordan Moorhouse.

Eccleshill’s Eli Hey poked the ball in on the hour mark but he was offside, Antony Brown came off the bench to replace Nicky Boshell but lasted only six minutes before pulling a muscle and making way for new signing, Bradford City Academy’s Sumailli Cissa, who came on for his Eccleshill debut.

Lewis Sugden hit the bar and minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty with Vikings’ Jake Stannard getting sent off for the foul on Irving, before the spot kick was missed.

Newman-Morton bagged his brace before the home side ended with nine men after Payne was shown a red card, presumably for an off the ball incident because no one seemed clear as to why he was dismissed.

Eccleshill’s top tier rivals Silsden, Thackley and Liversedge all faced postponements as did Division One outfit Campion, Bet Victor North West club Brighouse Town and North West Counties League Division One North side Steeton, as clubs were frustrated by the deep frost.