A STROKE of late good fortune helped Malton & Norton bolster their York Minster Engineering League division one title hopes with a 2-1 win at lowly Bishopthorpe.

Paul Boyes crossed towards substitute Stuart Collins in the final minute and he either missed the ball or purposefully let it go, leaving the goalkeeper in no man’s land as it sailed into the net.

The result – fully deserved but ultimately fortunate – saw M&N increase their lead at the top to three points as nearest rivals Post Office and Tockwith both drew.

Bishops were very busy in the first half but with no end result. M&N, however, had a number of shots and should have won the match by half-time.

Simon Collins, Andrew Thornton, Nicky Drew and Wayne Hazel all saw efforts saved or rebound off the woodwork.

Chris Hodgson in midfield and Luke Dawson on the wing continually caused problems for Bishopthorpe while Connor Shipley and Brian Howe were solid in defence.

The score remained goalless at the interval, but, ironically, they broke the deadlock at a time when the hosts were enjoying their best period.

Bishops upped their game after half-time and in the first five minutes pushed forward and tested the visitors’ defence. However, against the run of play M&N got a corner and Curtis Drummond’s delivery floated over everyone, curling goalwards, with Boyes just getting to the ball to make sure of the goal.

M&N, now in front, began to dominate again, only for a long shot from midfield to somehow find the Bishopthorpe centre-forward who slotted the ball home for the equaliser.

M&N goalkeeper Lee Stead had hardly got his gloves dirty on his return to action after missing three matches – with one of his main tasks being to pick the ball out of his net.

Drummond continued to tease the Bishopthorpe defence and the visitors continued to dominate, but the hosts held firm and M&N manager Darren Rushworth made substitutions in a bid to find a breakthrough. Tom Garbutt came on for the injured Simon Collins and Liam Burdett replaced Dawson.

Stuart Collins’ introduction proved decision, though, not only as his enthusiasm at centre-forward lifted the team but also with the part he played in the late goal.

Next week M&N travel to seventh-place Thorpe, and play the return match the week after.