It was a pretty disastrous weekend for the Bradford clubs in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Campion will arguably be most frustrated of all, as neighbours Silsden did them a huge favour, yet they failed to take advantage.

Emley held a six-point lead over Campion at the summit heading into the weekend, and with the former having two games in hand, the title, and automatic promotion, looked to be in their grasp.

But Emley had been rocked by a 4-0 FA Vase quarter-final defeat at Worcester City the previous Saturday, and they were beaten again this weekend, as Silsden pulled off a superb 2-1 away win over them, courtesy of goals from Casey Stewart and Luke Brooksbank.

A home win for Campion would have put them within three points of Emley, but they slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against play-off chasing Knaresborough Town, in a game which saw both teams end with 10-men apiece.

With only five games left to play, the Bradford side will now surely have to settle for a play-off spot.

Albion Sports should join them in that end of season shootout, but they are not there yet, and wobbled badly at the weekend, conceding thrice in a 12-minute spell just before the break to lose 3-0 at Tadcaster Albion.

Two of those goals were penalties, with the second conceded by Kyle Trennery.

The Albion keeper was sent off, meaning outfield player Ryan Conlon had to go in goal for the rest of the game.

With four games to go, Thackley’s race might be run, as they slipped four points off the play-offs, having played two games more than fifth-placed Albion.

That gap should have been cut to just two, but the Dennyboys blew a 2-1 lead, given to them by goals from Ben Grech-Brooksbank and Jos Bradshaw, conceding at the death to draw 2-2 against visiting Bottesford Town, frustrated home centre back Matty Dempsey sent off for dissent after the final whistle.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Ben Grech-Brooksbank (on the ball) opened the scoring for Thackley on what was an ultimately disappointing afternoon for them.Ben Grech-Brooksbank (on the ball) opened the scoring for Thackley on what was an ultimately disappointing afternoon for them. (Image: Robert Leal.)

Eccleshill United remain seven points clear of the drop, but they are not safe yet, with a 3-0 home defeat to Golcar United on Saturday their latest poor result this season.

Route One Rovers were not in action on Saturday, but remain with a four-point buffer in the North West Counties Football League First Division North, despite the chasing pack, Ilkley Town, Euxton Villa and Holker Old Boys, all having games in hand on them.

At the other end of the table, Steeton are now just four points above the relegation zone, after a costly 3-2 home defeat to fellow strugglers AFC Blackpool.

Both Toby Jeffrey and James Edgley were on target for the hosts, who conceded the winner with 10 minutes to go, George Gomersall’s late sin-bin for dissent not helping in their forlorn attempts to equalise.

Over in the Northern Premier League East Division, Brighouse Town are not yet clear of danger themselves, losing 2-0 at Sheffield to sit only eight points off the drop.

Mid-table Liversedge had a free weekend after their home game against Carlton Town was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

In the NPL Premier Division, Guiseley’s position in the play-offs looks more precarious now after they lost 1-0 at promotion rivals Marine.

Finally, out-of-form Farsley Celtic are sliding towards the National League North relegation zone, just five points clear of it now after a 3-0 defeat at Boston United on Saturday.