CAMPION continued their perfect start in Division One of the Northern Counties East League last night with a gutsy 1-0 win at Retford.

It was a tight first half, but while Andrew McCreadie came close on a couple of occasions for the Red and Blacks, they were lucky not to be behind given the hosts hit the woodwork twice.

It was a quiet second half, but with 15 minutes to go, Campion midfielder Edward Tordoff fired a shot in, which the keeper could only push on to his own post and into the net.

Retford could not find an equaliser, meaning Campion have won seven out of seven so far.

One team who will be jealous of Campion's record is NCEL Premier Division side Eccleshill United.

They had only won two of their first six league games, and lost again last night, 2-1 at home to Barton Town.

Eccleshill dominated the first half, with Barton goalkeeper Charlie Dixon having to make excellent saves from Sam Awty, Danial Softley and Luke Aldrich.

Yet somehow, the Eagles found themselves 2-0 behind at the break.

Josh Batty took the ball around returning goalkeeper Brad Emmerson to give Town the lead after 15 minutes, and a fine 25-yard strike from Jack Varley found its way in via the post just before half-time.

Batty had two chances to kill the game off after the break but couldn't convert. It didn't matter though, with Jonny Irving's 82nd minute headed goal proving little more than a consolation for Eccleshill.

Brighouse Town have made an awful start in the Northern Premier League North West Division, and a 1-0 defeat at Pickering Town means they remain at the foot of the table.

Harry Jessop scored the game's only goal after 29 minutes.

Brighouse's new on-loan goalkeeper Jacob Carney, who has come in from Manchester United, made a couple of great saves from Leon Osborne and Adam Warrilow to stop Pickering increasing their lead.

But the visitors could easily have grabbed themselves a point, as they were denied twice late on by Pickering stopper Charlie Andrew.

Steeton made a nightmare start to their game at Bacup Borough in the North West Counties League First Division North, as young goalkeeper Fletcher Paley mistakenly tried to shepherd a low cross out for a goal kick.

He did not notice Bacup striker Joshua Brennan, who was loitering at the back post to tap home.

In a tense, niggly game, Steeton's best chance to equalise came just after the hour mark, when Ben Wignall saw his shot saved by Henry Turner's leg.

Paley redeemed himself somewhat with a stunning penalty save in injury time from Michael Gervin, but it was academic in the end, as the game ended 1-0 to Bacup.

The defeat leaves Steeton in mid-table, with four points from their first four games.