CHAMPIONS Old Malton St Mary’s maintained their four-point lead at the top of the York Minster Engineering Football League premier division with a 4-0 victory over York Railway Institute.

Half of the pitch at Old Malton had a covering of frost, but referee Paul Ballantyne gave Saturday's game the go-ahead.

RI were the first to threaten as the top flight's record goal scorer Mark Woodward had an early chance brilliantly saved by Ben Gill.

Old Malton wasted no time in hitting back. Early inroads were made through the inside right channel, but both Steve Baxter and Danny Fogg were denied by the excellent RI goalkeeper.

Not to be outdone Gill made another top class save to deny Woodward.

RI's keeper continued to deny the hosts as he turned away shots from all angles, with Old Malton making a mockery of the tricky conditions to cut RI to shreds time and again.

The goal that was threatened eventually came as Dean Nuttall's inswinging corner was headed home by the dangerous Baxter.

Old Malton kept pressing but there were no more goals in the opening half.

The second half was pretty much all Old Malton as they handled the conditions much better than in the first half, pinning RI back for long periods.

The second goal quickly arrived as Darren Dunning's whipped free-kick was headed home by Dean Readman from six yards.

Chances came and went as RI were overrun by the swarming hosts.

Inside the final ten minutes, Fogg blasted into the top corner after great work from Daman Cox.

Soon after, Fogg grabbed his second as he was found in acres of space before slotting easily home.

A fifth goal was there for the taking, but Baxter shot narrowly wide after being teed up by Nuttall.

Dunnington kept the leaders in their sights with a 3-2 win over Copmanthorpe thanks to goals from Ben Small, Dan Andrew and Scott Sullivan.

Jake Moyse and Danny Leach were on target for the visitors.

Tadcaster Magnets, who are enjoying a successful debut season in the top flight, took yet another notable scalp with a 2-0 triumph at Riccall United.

Robert McDermid and substitute Sam Harrison struck for Magnets, who can overtake Saints at the top if they win all of their games in hand.

Church Fenton White Horse, Old Malton's next opponents, were 2-0 winners at Dringhouses.

A John Marshall penalty gave Church Fenton a half-time lead and Lewis Beecher scored his first premier division goal after 70 minutes.