Thackley and Liversedge both found themselves away from home against high-ranking opponents and both suffered defeats, as they had done the previous Saturday in their respective reverse fixtures.

The halfway point in the Baris Northern Counties East League is traditionally marked by back-to-back games against the same opposition, mirroring the first half of the campaign.

It proved to be a bad weekend for the Premier Division promotion hopes of the Dennyboys and for mid-table Sedge.

Thackley had lost at home to former manager Billy Fox’s new club Staveley MW the weekend before and they made it a league double at Staveley.

Fox’s men ran out 3-1 winners but only after a close game in which the home side made the most of their chances.

Richard Patterson broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when he got on the end of a corner but Mark Bett had the Dennyboys level midway through the first half.

Andy Philp, who had wasted an earlier opening, Bett and Cameron Lyn all had chances to give the visitors the lead before the interval.

Bett also had an early second-half effort saved but it was mainly the home side from then on.

Dennyboys keeper Matt Convey had tipped one dipping effort from Joe Thornton over before the same player gave Staveley the lead with an unstoppable shot.

Home substitute Simon Barrowclough tapped in to make it 3-1 just eight minutes from time.

And despite a late rally from the visitors, during which Matt Morgan curled a shot agonisingly wide, Staveley were good value for their win.

The previous week had seen Retford United move top of the table with a win at Clayborn and they consolidated top spot with a 4-2 home win over Liversedge yesterday.

Sedge got off to a superb start as Dave Boardman gave them a first-minute lead but the leaders soon hit back.

Adam Scott netted a quickfire double to see the home side 2-1 up inside 16 minutes and Warren Hadfield added Retford’s third before the break.

Sedge missed a 65th-minute penalty but then profited from an own goal, before Barry Payne wrapped up the Retford scoring in the penultimate minute.