There is now only a five point gap between first and seventh place in the Premier Division as the chase for the title and promotion intensified after Saturday's Toolstation NCEL action.

Leaders Penistone Church were without a game so that gave the chasing pack a perfect chance to close the gap with the other two sides in the top three facing each other at the Springfield Training MDC Stadium.

And, it proved to be a tight affair with visitors Staveley Miners Welfare sneaking a 1-0 victory to move them within two points of the summit with four games in hand of Penistone.

The only goal of the game came in the eight minute when Hemsworth Miners Welfare captain Edward Cass headed a free-kick into his own net as Luke Danville tasted defeat in his first game in permanent charge of the hosts who stay in second spot behind the table-toppers on goal difference.

Liversedge climb to fourth, also two points behind Penistone, following their 4-1 home win over Garforth Town, Oliver Fearon, Paul Walker, Alfie Raw and Joe Walton with their goals before Charlie Marshall pulled one back for the Miners in the 72nd minute.

A further point back in fifth are Yorkshire Amateur who were also 4-1 victors, Matthew Sykes, Adam Priestly and Ashley Flynn confirming the win at Goole AFC after their opener from Stephen Crawford had been cancelled out by Niah Payne.

And, Bridlington Town jump up to sixth after Lewis Taylor's 85th minute winner gave them all three points in a 1-0 defeat of hosts Maltby Main.

Grimsby Borough drop to seventh as they were beaten 4-1 at bottom side Athersley Recreation, the ever-improving Rec picking up their first home league victory of the season thanks to a Kane Swinburn double as well as goals from Shane Kelsey and Declan Slater.

Athersley close the gap to nineteenth-placed Bottesford Town to four points after the Lincolnshire side went down 2-0 at home to Eccleshill United, Tabish Hussain and Jonathan Irving netting for the Eagles who move up to eleventh.

Thackley's 4-0 home win over Albion Sports strengthens their grip on eighth spot, goals from Daniel Broadbent and James Rothel added to in the last ten minutes by substitute Owen Murphy.

And, Barton Town were 3-0 victors at Silsden, Jack Richardson, Noel Burdett and Daniel North getting on the scoresheet in a win that lifts the Swans into twelfth.

The top four sides in Division One were all victorious, meaning leaders Skegness Town maintain a two point lead over second-placed Winterton Rangers.

Jason Field netted the only goal of the game for Skegness at home to Dronfield Town whilst a double from Jaime Ture secured a 2-1 victory for Rangers over visitors Brigg Town, Cameron Hill with the Zebras' consolation in stoppage time.

North Ferriby and Campion also both won on their own patch to keep themselves nine points off the summit with two games in hand.

Danny Emmerton struck twice for Ferriby as they beat Armthorpe Welfare 3-2 and Aidan Kirby scored both of Campion's goals in the final five minutes as they dramatically turned their game around against Nostell Miners Welfare to snatch a 2-1 victory.

Selby Town and Glasshoughton Welfare go up into fifth and sixth, respectively, leaping above Retford FC who did not have a game.

Carl Stewart's hat-trick helped Selby to a 7-3 home win over next-to-bottom Harrogate Railway Athletic whilst Nathan Perks got both of Glasshoughton's goals in a 2-0 defeat of visitors Rossington Main.

Chris Murray and Callum Stone pounced in the second half to give Hall Road Rangers a 2-0 win at neighbours and basement side East Hull.

Parkgate grabbed a last-gasp point at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, Bruno Holden claiming an injury-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw after it looked as though Kai Hancock's double had secured the win for the hosts.

And, it was also a point apiece between Ollerton Town and Hallam as they played out a goalless draw in North Nottinghamshire.

Meanwhile, there was a friendly between two NCEL sides as AFC Mansfield narrowly defeated visitors Swallownest by a single goal, Ross Duggan with the strike twenty minutes from time.

Photo: Action from North Ferriby's 3-2 defeat of visitors Armthorpe Welfare in Toolstation NCEL Division One on Saturday. (Picture: Steve Pennock)