LEAGUE LEADERS Catterick Garrison Football Centre maintained their seven point lead at the top of the table last Saturday although they were made to fight all the way for a 5-3 win at Carperby Rovers.

Jez Mortimer fired the Garrison ahead midway through the first half but before the break, Matthew Guy equalised.

In the second half, Damian Hargreaves and Steven Files twice restored the leaders advantage, but Paul Stephenson and John Pickard twice brought Rovers level. However, in the final ten minutes Hargreaves scored twice more to complete his hat-trick and give Catterick a vital three points.

Unicorn FC moved up to second after an eventful game at Richmond Buck Inn. First half goals from the Buck's Mickey White, from the penalty spot, and Mark Swanwick put Unicorn in deep trouble and their cause was not helped by a red card for goalkeeper Dale Middleton and a serious shoulder injury to Nick Marshall that held the game up for 35 minutes.

But the ten-men produced a battling second half performance to grab all three points. Carl Handley headed home a Gav Armstrong corner, after Tom Keegan had missed a penalty, before Shaun Charlton's scissors-kick volley and Ryan Crowther's neat finish turned the match in the Unicorn's favour.

The Buck briefly levelled through Swanwick but in the final ten minutes, Charlton slid home a cross from Lewis Stabler before substitute James Anderson, with his first touch after coming on, sealed the points; beating the offside trap and rounding the goalkeeper to make it 5-3.

Hawes United saw their hopes of retaining the title suffer a blow as they were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at home by Spennithorne and Harmby. A second half goal from Jonathon Champion looked to be enough to give Hawes victory ahead of this week's Medals Shield final meeting with Colburn Town, but in the final five minutes, Adam Dinsdale and then Liam Reeves gave Spenni the points.

Richmond Mavericks Reserves are up to fourth after a 4-0 home victory over Richmond Town Academy. Danny Shoulder scored a hat-trick while Liam Ryan completed a comfortable Mavericks success to keep them 11 points off the top with two games in hand.

Despite being down in fifth place, Colburn Town remain title favourites after a 4-1 win at Bedale Town Reserves. Chasing success on four fronts, Colburn eased to another victory with goals from Stu Murray; his 40th of the season, Jamie Dempster, Tom Sweeney and Adam Palmer. Jacob Anderson replied for Bedale.

Although currently twelve points behind the leaders, Medals Shield and North Riding Cup finalists Colburn, do have six games in hand.

Reeth won 3-1 at bottom side Askrigg United. Martyn Alderson gave the struggler's a first half lead but before the break, Steve Allison fired Reeth level.

In the second half, Stephen Fleming put the visitors in front before Eddy Anderson sealed the points.