Congratulations to North Ferriby who secured the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title with a 1-0 victory at Thackley on Saturday.

The Villagers knew that a point would be enough to be crowned champions with two games to spare and they edged a tight contest at Dennyfield, Joshua Dennett grabbing the matchwinner just before half-time.

The final whistle sparked huge celebrations among the Ferriby players, management staff, supporters and officials and is very much deserved as they have been top of the table for 207 of the 241 days so far this season.

Meanwhile, the two sides who have a chance of joining them in moving up to Step 4 met in a massive encounter in the chase for second place and a spot in the Inter-Step Play-Offs.

And, Winterton Rangers maintain the advantage following a gritty 0-0 draw at Emley AFC who remain third, seven points behind Rangers but with two games in hand so their challenge is by no means over.

The bottom two were without a game, Yorkshire Amateur had a free weekend whilst Goole AFC's trip to Silsden AFC was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

That gave Bottesford Town a chance to put a bit more daylight between themselves and the relegation zone and they had thought they had taken all three points as they led 3-1 at home to Maltby Main with ten minutes remaining.

A Luke Ayris double and a Jonathan Nyantou strike had them in control whilst Cameron Hawkes had netted for the visitors but late goals from Alexander Hardwick and Thomas Staniland saw the match finish 3-3.

It leaves the Poachers in eighteenth, three points clear of Goole, whilst Maltby remain in eleventh spot.

Hallam were the day's biggest winners as Kieren Watson's double, added to by one each for Aaron Fell, Oliver Fearon, Christopher Salt and James Gregory, saw them run out 6-1 winners at Frickley Athletic and the Countrymen jump to fifth in the table.

They go above Penistone Church who drop to sixth after their 1-0 loss at Garforth Town who are now fourth thanks to Sam Barker's 44th minute winner.

Alfie Dodsworth and Leon Howarth secured a 2-0 home win for Handsworth over Barton Town whilst Robbie Fox's injury-time strike grabbed Albion Sports a 2-1 victory at Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

And, the spoils were shared at the Skye Direct Stadium in a 2-2 draw between hosts Golcar United and Knaresborough Town, the away side coming from two goals down to take a point thanks to Ewan Gregson and Joseph Navier.

Campion's lead at the top of Division One has been extended to nine points after Aidan Kirby, Patrick Sykes and Aidan Day struck in a 3-0 home win over relegation-threatened Swallownest.

Harrogate Railway Athletic are the only side who can halt their title charge but they were beaten 2-0 at Rossington Main to leave them eleven points away from the summit with five games left to play.

Ross Hannah and Bradley Grayson struck for Main who move up to second, swapping places with the Rail whose amazing 26 match unbeaten run was ended with this defeat.

Wakefield AFC secured themselves a play-off spot with their 4-1 victory at Ollerton Town, Haydn Ward, Daniel Youel, Harley Blankley and Kieran Ceesay netting for them whilst Tishaun Brown claimed Ollerton's first goal in seven games.

A 1-1 draw for Staveley Miners Welfare keeps them secure in fifth spot, Mackenzie Ross' opener for the Trojans cancelled out by James Piercy for hosts Beverley Town.

With Staveley ineligible for the play-offs, sixth place would be good enough to claim a place in the chase for promotion and that is now inhabited by Retford FC who won 2-0 at home to basement side Athersley Recreation, Liam Frost and Kyle Simpson with the goals in the final five minutes.

Horbury Town drop to seventh after they went down 2-1 at home to Selby Town, Liam Flanagan and Harry Clapham with the Robins' goals that sandwiched one from Gibril Bojang for the hosts.

And, eighth-placed Brigg Town lost a little ground as they were beaten 2-0 by visitors Armthorpe Welfare, Jamie Austin and Cian Guest with a quickfire double towards the end of the opening period to keep their side's play-off hopes alive in ninth.

In the battle to avoid relegation, Parkgate moved out of the danger zone as they won 4-0 at home to Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.

Ross Duggan, Taylor Nicholson, Ahmed Tahar and Joshua Nodder struck in what could prove to be a vital victory for the Steelmen.

Shirebrook Town are the other side, along with Swallownest and Athersley Recreation, in the drop zone as, despite a Jake Squires goal, they lost 2-1 at Nostell Miners Welfare.

And, in mid-table, it was 1-1 between Glasshoughton Welfare and Dronfield Town at the Lee Johnson Signage Stadium, and they are fifteenth and thirteenth in the table, respectively.

Photo: North Ferriby celebrate after confirming the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title with Saturday's 1-0 victory at Thackley. (Picture: North Ferriby FC)