Farsley AFC remained at the summit of the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League after a comfortable 5-0 home win against basement outfit Hallam.

The visitors, who are cut adrift at the foot of the Premier Division table, held their high-flying hosts to a goalless first half.

But the floodgates opened once Andy Cooper had broken the deadlock nine minutes after the interval.

Gareth Grant added the second goal soon after and another quick-fire double followed midway through the second half.

Cooper bagged his second before Ben Jones got in on the act – and Farsley went nap when assistant player-manager Simeon Bambrook wrapped up the scoring seven minutes from time.

Farsley’s lead was extended to four points because second-placed Parkgate had the frustration of their away fixture being postponed.

And their title hopes were also assisted by a superb home result for neighbours LIVERSEDGE.

The struggling Clayborners beat third-placed Bridlington Town 5-3 with an exceptional show of resilience and determination.

Craig Hogg gave the visitors a 15th-minute lead but Andy Shuttleworth pegged them back. Hogg again put Brid in front before an Andy Philp penalty levelled the game and the hosts then went in front for the first time through a James Hurtley header.

Town equalised at the end of a hectic first half when Scott Phillips converted a cross.

But Sedge dug deep and a Darryl Leach header put them in front again, before Brook Newton ensured all three points with a fifth goal.

Brid remain a threat to Farsley and Parkgate because they have seven games in hand and Sedge will now be buoyant when they travel to Throstle Nest on Tuesday.

BRIGHOUSE TOWN failed to claw back any ground on tenth-placed Lincoln Moorlands Railway as the sides battled out a goalless draw in their mid-table tussle.

But one club who did move up were THACKLEY after a first-half double at Long Eaton United.

The Dennyboys dominated the first half and carved out their 2-0 winning margin during that period.

Matt Mathers headed them in front when a Josh McClean corner had been flicked on by Rob Morgan.

A surging run by skipper Ross Daly allowed him to release Nicky Matthews just after the half-hour mark for him to round the home keeper and slot in the second.

It was a disappointing day for ECCLESHILL UNITED in Division One as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Shirebrook Town, despite getting off to a good start.

Joe Penn gave the Eagles a seventh-minute lead but Simon Johnson hit Shirebrook’s leveller three minutes later and they won it with a Darren Bettison strike 11 minutes from time.

The defeat ended a three-game unbeaten home run and dropped the Eagles back down to eighth position.