THE top four are starting to pull clear of the rest after recording wins in the York Minster Engineering Football League premier division.

Old Malton St Mary’s maintained their seven point advantage but had to battle to do so, finally defeating Copmanthorpe through Kyle Locklin’s second-half winner.

Likewise, things were not all plain sailing for title favourites Riccall United, who have won all 11 of their matches this season.

They found Easingwold Town stubborn foes, eventually getting on top to record a 4-2 victory.

Gary Collier and Mike Braithwaite bagged a brace apiece for the hosts, with Easingwold notching two in the second half via Jordan Groves and Steve Aconley.

Third-placed Huntington Rovers continued their run of good form with an emphatic 5-2 win over Dringhouses, which should have arguably seen a much higher winning margin for the visitors.

Kevin Martin struck from the penalty spot, with Jon James and Chris Dyson scoring two goals each, the latter taking his total in the league this year to 20.

Sam Kitson and Tom Hawksby found the net for the home side.

Defending champions Dunnington recorded the most clear-cut victory of the day in the top flight with a 6-0 thrashing of St Clement’s.

Scott Sullivan and Josh Tattersall grabbed braces, while goals from Grant Bulmer and Jonny Andrews sealed the win.

Wigginton and Terrington drew 1-1 in a game of chances at both ends.

The Grasshoppers had the better of the early exchanges and went close on several occasions before Jamie Willstrop drove them into the lead on 40 minutes.

Glory came back strongly in the second half, though, and only a great one-on-one save from Michael Clancy preserved Grasshoppers’ lead.

A fair result was ensured when Adam Fisher rose to head Terrington’s equaliser in the dying seconds of the game.

Aviva scored a much needed win over Poppleton to move five points clear of their visitors at the wrong end of the table.

Warren Lowe hit a 25-yard screamer just before half-time and Neil Brotherton scored with a header just after the restart. Steve Jarvis rounded off a good move to wrap up the win.

York RI ensured that York St John University remain out of touch at the foot of the table following a routine 3-0 triumph. Ben Jones, Liam Keenaghan and Sean Stockdale all got on the mark for RI.