The contrast between the seasons of Bradford duo Eccleshill United and Albion Sports was highlighted in the pair’s Boxing Day derby yesterday.

Hosts Eccleshill took a surprise early lead in their Northern Counties East League Premier Division clash, only for Albion to roar back with three goals in the final half-hour to take victory.

Albion’s win moved them up to fourth, right in the play-off mix, while Eccleshill remain third-bottom, just two points above the relegation zone.

The smart money was on an away win yesterday, but Eccleshill threatened to rip up the formbook when Brice Ghussein put them in front only 10 minutes in.

Albion’s extra quality eventually paid off, with the prolific Robbie Fox equalising on the hour mark.

Lewis Waddington soon put the visitors in front, before Adam Priestley added a third Albion goal in second-half stoppage time to see off Eccleshill once and for all.

Silsden came agonisingly close to claiming a significant Boxing Day scalp in the same division, only to concede at the death in a 1-1 draw at leaders Campion.

Casey Stewart, with a deflected free kick, put the Cobbydalers in front early on, only for veteran midfielder Nicky Boshell to snatch an equaliser in second-half stoppage time for the hosts.

It was an enthralling encounter, with a draw probably a fair result, but a point apiece did neither side much good.

Hosts Silsden slip to eighth as a result of that late concession, when a win would have put them fifth, and into the play-offs, on goal difference.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Aidan Day (right) was named Campion's man of the match by their sponsors, as he drove his team on to a late equaliser at Silsden.Aidan Day (right) was named Campion's man of the match by their sponsors, as he drove his team on to a late equaliser at Silsden. (Image: Martin Taylor.)

Campion now only have a two-point lead at the summit, with second-placed Emley having three games in hand, in a season where only the title winners will go up automatically.

Emley would have overtaken Campion with victory on Tuesday, but suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to 10th-placed Penistone Church, their first league defeat since mid-August.

Thackley are a fair way back from the pair in third, and they were forced to settle for a 1-1 home draw against West Yorkshire neighbours Golcar United.

The hosts dominated the game, but only had Corey Billy’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time to show for it.

High-flying Route One Rovers had their derby against mid-table Steeton postponed in the North West Counties Football League First Division North at Marley called off due to gas supply issues at the venue.

Brighouse Town were glad their Northern Premier League East Division game was on at Winterton Rangers, as they scored two late goals through Jack Crook and Mo Qasim to claim a 2-1 win and go six points clear of the relegation zone.

Liversedge’s home game in that division against Ossett United was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

In the NPL Premier Division, play-off chasing Guiseley suffered a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to struggling Marske United, with Tom Pratt’s late red card compounding their misery.

Finally, Farsley Celtic slipped to five points off the play-offs after losing 2-0 at leaders Scunthorpe United in National League North.