It was an afternoon of big crowds in the Toolstation NCEL on Tuesday in the final round of matches of 2021 that resulted in new leaders of both divisions going into the New Year.

Twelve of the twenty scheduled matches survived the recent bad weather with Eccleshill United's 3-2 win at Albion Sports propelling them to the summit in the Premier Division.

Sumaili Cissa had put the visiting Eagles ahead on ten minutes before Mohammed Qasim quickly equalised and the hosts took the lead in the final quarter of the game through Robbie Fox.

Emmerson Cox restored parity once more and then, with eleven minutes remaining, Talent Ndlovu converted a spot-kick to secure Eccleshill the win.

That puts them one point in front of Grimsby Borough whose game was one of three called off in the division due to waterlogged pitches and Borough drop from the summit after 115 days there.

The sides placed third to fifth all lost ground with home defeats for Garforth Town and Handsworth whilst Sherwood Colliery picked up a draw.

Garforth were beaten 2-0 by visitors Thackley, Will Jackson and Lewis Waddington with the goals, whilst an Ewan Catt double, added to by an injury time strike from Jack Dillingham, saw Staveley Miners Welfare defeat Handsworth 3-0.

Colliery took a 2-0 lead at neighbours AFC Mansfield, Jamie York and Lewis Belgrave netting either side of the interval, but the Bulls fought back with goals in the last twenty minutes from Alfie Dodsworth and Lynton Karkach for a 2-2 scoreline.

Jack Normanton claimed a hat-trick for a third successive game as Silsden AFC thrashed visitors Knaresborough Town 8-1, Khuraam Shazad also scoring three whilst Josimar Bradshaw and Finn Donovan added to the tally, all after Ewan Gregson had given the away side a ninth minute lead.

448 watched that match, only beaten in the top flight by the 477 who attended Goole AFC's 2-1 home win over Hemsworth Miners Welfare, Samuel Cable and Shaun Heselwood for the Vikings before a late consolation from Andrew Higgins.

Emley AFC drew 0-0 at home with bottom side Athersley Recreation, the only goalless game of the afternoon.

In Division One, Hallam returned to pole position after a 3-2 home win over fellow top-three side Brigg Town.

In front of a crowd of 1,128, Iren Wilson gave the hosting Countrymen a first half lead before Scott Phillips equalised from the penalty spot early in the second period.

Wilson's second and Craig Mitchell's goal gave Hallam a 3-1 advantage with Jonathan Oglesby ensuring it was a close finale as he scored Brigg's second on 87 minutes.

Hallam go above North Ferriby who were beaten 2-1 at home by Hall Road Rangers, Reece Moody and Chris Spinks with the visitors' goals sandwiching a leveller from Jackson Jowett, all in the final ten minutes of the opening half.

The match at the Dransfield Stadium was the day's biggest attendance with 1,139 there, the second highest ever recorded in Division One.

Elsewhere, Harrogate Railway Athletic move up to fourth after a Daniel McDaid free-kick and a Daniel Thirkell penalty secured them a 2-0 win at Glasshoughton Welfare.

Parkgate were 5-1 victors at Dronfield, Frederick Tracey's brace added to by Max Rhodes, Brandon Bagley and William Wraith whilst Mark Fereday netted for the home side.

And, Rainworth Miners Welfare came from two goals down to claim a point at local rivals Clipstone after Joshua Pickering and Declan Sorrell had seemingly put the Cobras in control.

Nathan Benger gave the Wrens hope in first half stoppage time and Kane Hempshall made sure the spoils were shared with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Photo: Athersley Receation's goalkeeper Ellis Pickard saves at the feet of Emley AFC's Joe Jagger during the goalless draw at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division on Tuesday. (Picture: Mark Parsons)