GILLAMOOR and Kirkdale United took advantage of the leading pair’s inaction to move three points closer to the top two in Beckett League division two.

They also still have games in hand on leaders Duncombe Park and second-placed Snainton reserves.

Gillamoor saw off Thornton-le-Dale reserves. Ryan Mintoft scored the opener and crossed the ball for Tom Skelton to make it two with a back post header, and Nathan Blacklock cut in from the left to fire in the third after 70 minutes.

Thornton pulled a goal back with a Luke Hobbs penalty but Gillamoor restored their three-goal advantage through man-of-the-match Ryan Mintoft five minutes from time.

Keeper Mark Elvin, who made several outstanding saves, was the top performer for Thornton, who also had an impressive display by centre-back Trevor Clubley.

Fourth-placed Kirkdale beat lowly Norton United 2-0, though Norton played better than the scoreline suggests.

Rob Galtrey opened the scoring for Kirkdale and Dean Coote and Jamie Harper also went close.

Norton had Tom Clemit sent off after two yellow cards and Kirkdale doubled their lead four minutes from time through Galtrey.

The men of the match winners were Jordan Green (Kirkdale), and Jordan Coultard and Thomas Eddery (Norton).

Stillington Sports & Social Club and Pickering Knights shared the points after a thrilling end-to-end game.

Steve Johnson fired Stillington ahead but Josh Brittian set up Steve Carter to equalise. In the second half, a second Johnson goal restored Stillington’s lead but a simple tap-in by midfielder Andrew Spittlehouse again levelled matters for the Knights. Johnson and Spittlehouse were the men of the match.

Union Rovers reserves borrowed The Gannock in Malton to stage a rearranged game against Heslerton reserves - but the visitors won 2-1 after a hard-fought game.

Heslerton took a deserved lead midway in the first half when Dan Blanchard got round the back of the defence and squared the ball to Phil Horton, who slid it home.

Union, playing down the slope, in the second half, equalised after 55 minutes when Kieran Cook set up Phil Smith to score. The goal brought Rovers more into the game, but Heslerton secured the three points on 65 minutes thanks to Dan Blanchard’s 16th goal of the season.

Phil Smith, playing in the centre of midfield, and keeper Stuart Corner were Union’s men of the match. The Heslerton award was shared between teenage twins Jack and James Sawdon who are enjoying their first-ever season in senior football.