ECCLESHILL United need four points from their final two games to guarantee second place in the NCEL Premier Division, which would give them a shot at automatic promotion.

The ten best sides in second place in terms of points per game at Eccleshill's Step 5 will go up, while the remaining six runners up will enter a play-off against a Step 4 side to determine whether they go up or not.

The Eagles did all they could last night, winning 3-1 at home to Bradford District rivals Silsden.

Jos Bradshaw gave Silsden an early lead, knocking in the rebound after Ed Wilczynski spilled Jack Normanton's effort.

New keeper George Dalton had to be at his best to keep the Eagles out before the break, but it was the Cobbydalers who had a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Silsden had had chances of their own, but they were blown away by Eccleshill at the start of the second half, with Jonny Irving equalising after 58 minutes.

Sam Bradley volleyed the Eagles in front soon after, before Luke Aldrich sealed the three points late on.

In the NCEL League Cup, Thackley bowed out at the quarter-final stage, losing 1-0 to Barton Town thanks to a Thomas Waudby goal in the 68th minute.

Dennyboys keeper Luke Wilson saved a penalty on the hour mark, but it proved to be in vain.

In the NPL East Division, Liversedge hit the summit after winning 3-1 at Pickering Town.

Ben Atkinson fired Sedge in front after eight minutes, but Tom Nixon soon equalised after a mistake at the back.

It was tense until Gav Allott smashed the ball home with 15 minutes to go to put the visitors back in front, and with Pickering's Matthew Dawes then sent off for a late tackle, Nicky Walker wrapped up the points in injury-time.

Sedge are now a point clear of Marske United at the top, having played a game more.

Brighouse Town climbed to ninth in that division after winning 2-1 at Tadcaster Albion.

The hosts went in front through a Mark Ferguson penalty, before Laurence Sorhaindo missed a chance from the spot to equalise.

But goals from Javelle Clarke and villain-turned-hero Sorhaindo saw Brig turn the game around.