THACKLEY pulled off a vital 1-0 home win over big rivals Eccleshill United on Boxing Day, moving themselves up to 16th in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, five points clear of rock-bottom Athersley Recreation.

The Dennyboys lost five league games in a row ahead of the national lockdown at the start of November, but stopped the rot in their first game back last weekend, drawing 3-3 at Maltby Main.

And a Ryan Basi winner with 20 minutes left against Eccleshill ensured it was a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for the hosts.

Thackley began the game on top, with Ben Grech-Brooksbank firing just over after 15 seconds, Morgan McCusker Butcher having a shot saved by Hagie Kanteh, and Alex Marsh's cross shaving the crossbar.

Lewis Waddington then scuffed a shot off target for the Dennyboys, before the visitors had their first chance, a Talent Ndlovu strike that was comfortably saved by Luke Wilson.

After that bright opening, it was a quiet last 25 minutes before the break, with the only real chance seeing Waddington nearly diverting home a Loz Hunter shot, but that was gathered well by an adjusting Kanteh.

Alex Barnes almost gave Eccleshill the lead after an hour, but his effort from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

Instead, it was Thackley who went in front. A corner fell to the substitute, Adam Jones, who saw his effort cleared off the line.

But the ball came back to defender Basi, who prodded home from close range.

A long range effort from Eccleshill's Allen Greenwood flew wide with a few minutes left, before a late scuffle between both sides saw yellow cards for Jones and McCusker-Butcher.

The Eagles did have the chance to equalise at the last, but a free-kick was easily gathered by Wilson.

The defeat means Eccleshill remain 11th.

Silsden are just one place above Thackley in 15th, but they picked up a superb point on Boxing Day at AFC Mansfield.

Josh Wilde gave the hosts an early lead, but the Cobbydalers equalised quickly through a Liam Hudson half-volley.

The prolific Ross Duggan put Mansfield back in front after 15 minutes.

It went quiet thereafter, with the only real incident of note before half-time seeing Silsden defender Dan Illingworth limp off injured, to be replaced by Myles Foley.

Hudson and Harry Parsons went close to equalising for the Sils early in the second half, and it was the former who pulled his side level on 63 minutes.

A shot from range was saved, and there was that man Hudson to crash home the rebound.

Silsden's new striker Craig Billington had a shot well saved, before Joe Mitchell nearly profited from an errant Mansfield backpass.

Great combination play between Mark Simpson and Billington somehow failed to produce a late Silsden winner, but Mitchell had to be at his best to deny Mansfield a third themselves.

It was a fine point for the Sils, with Mansfield riding high in sixth.

After two away games since the resumption, Danny Forrest's side are finally back at home on Saturday, when they host Grimsby Borough at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium.