CAMPION took a big step towards securing promotion and the Northern Counties East League Division One title on Saturday.

They hosted second-placed Rossington Main, knowing the visitors would move just a point behind them with victory.

But instead, a 1-0 victory for the Red and Blacks, courtesy of an early Patrick Sykes goal, means they now have a seven-point lead at the summit.

Rossington have also played three more games than Campion now, so the Bradford side's main title rivals now are probably Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Railway are nine points behind the Red and Blacks, but do have a game in hand on them, and the pair still have to face each other in a huge showdown at Scotchman Road next Wednesday (March 8).

Campion dominated the first half against Rossington, with Sykes netting his 20th goal of the season to put them in front after only 10 minutes.

But Michael O'Brien heroically cleared Ross Hannah's fierce effort off the line seconds before the break, as the visitors came a whisker away from levelling proceedings.

Rossington had the edge in the second half, but Bradley Grayson's late header looped just over the crossbar, while new Campion stopper Ed Hall was on hand to deny Monosse Kianga in the dying moments as the hosts held on for a huge three points.

Thackley have been in good form since Tom Greaves and Danny Forrest took over as joint-managers last month, and they had no trouble dismantling rock-bottom Yorkshire Amateur 4-0 at Dennyfield in the NCEL Premier Division on Saturday.

A diving header from Sam Nicholson, his first goal for the club, put Thackley in front after 27 minutes.

Despite a host of chances, the hosts only took a one-goal lead into the break, but they were clinical in the second half.

Former Everton midfielder George Green put them 2-0 up with a fierce strike into the bottom corner just before the hour mark.

And late goals from Nicholson and player-manager Greaves put the icing on the cake.

Albion Sports can wave goodbye to any relegation fears as they won 1-0 at Bottesford Town.

Town, along with Ammers, are in the dreaded bottom two, but they would have closed to within six points of Albion had they beaten them on Saturday.

But Albion, who had the buffer of three games in hand over Bottesford anyway, won the game late on, captain Aran Basi turning home a late corner to secure a 1-0 success.

Eccleshill United are almost certainly safe too, but they dropped below Albion with a 1-0 loss at mid-table Maltby Main on Saturday.

Silsden's superb first half of the season is now sadly a distant memory, and they were thumped 3-0 at home to promotion-chasing Emley AFC.

In the North West Counties Football League First Division North, Steeton's long unbeaten run came to an end as they were thumped 4-1 at home to lowly Nelson.

A disastrous first half meant they were three goals down at the break, and a man light too, as Josh McKiernon saw red for kicking out after he was caught by a stray elbow.

Nelson scored again after the break, with Arale Mohamed's late penalty a mere consolation.

Brighouse Town are still in relegation danger in the Northern Premier League East Division.

Bantams loanee Cole Roberts and the prolific Jack Boyle both scored for them on Saturday, but they still lost 3-2 at home to Bridlington Town.

Guiseley's NPL Premier Division play-off hopes took a hit when they lost 3-1 at home to Radcliffe, Benjamin Smiles-Braithwaite grabbing their goal.

But the great escape is on for Sedge in the same division, as Nathan Cartman scored midway through the first half in a 1-0 win over Marine, who had a man sent off late on.

Jonathan Rimmington's side are still eight points from safety, but have several games in hand on all the sides immediately above the four-team relegation zone.

Carlton Ubaezuonu and Frank Mulhern both scored either side of the break, the latter with a stunning half-volley, to put Farsley Celtic 2-1 up at Banbury United in National League North.

But they conceded an injury-time equaliser, and Banbury held on for a point despite a last-gasp red card.

The result means the Celts remain in the relegation zone on goal difference.