Knaresborough Town move back into top half of the table following home win over Eccleshill United

Saturday’s success saw the men from Manse Lane get back on track following their controversial defeat at Beverley last time out, and lifted them back into the top half of the NCEL Premier Division standings.

Simon Parkes’ team were unbeaten in four matches prior to their 3-1 loss in their previous outing, a game which saw the match officials fail to award them a clear ‘goal’ with the scores level at one apiece.

But, they showed no hangover from that disappointment at the weekend as they secured a well-deserved three-point haul in front of their own fans.

Play was generally scrappy throughout the first half and, as a consequence, clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Knaresborough did have the better of them, however, with striker Gelder heading wide from Sam Barker’s centre before Eccleshill’s Lewis Waddington was off target with a free-kick.

Barker then shot over the top before Dan Thirkell’s header from Sam Leverett’s free-kick was saved by Oliver Riva in the away goal.

Gelder came closer than anyone to breaking the deadlock when he smashed a snap-shot against the underside of the bar before Jack Dyche put the rebound wide.

A scramble just before the break then saw Sam Cook shoot over after the Eccleshill defence blocked efforts from Dyche and Gelder.

Early in the second half, influential Boro winger Barnes saw a weak strike saved before having a fortunate hand in the opening goak.

A 58th-minute corner was only partially cleared into his path, and although he sliced his shot, the ball found Leverett, who curled a cross to the far post for Gelder to convert from close range.

Eccleshill would however level matters just four minutes later when a left-wing corner was not dealt with and Waddington stabbed home for 1-1.

But, in the 70th minute, Barnes broke free, running onto a Barker pass and slamming the ball past Riva for what proved to be the winner.

Knaresborough sought the comfort of a further goal, but despite much possession, the nearest they came to adding to the total was when United’s Benjamin Gordon headed a corner against the top of his own bar.

Victory saw Parkes and his men chalk up a third consecutive home success and climb to 10th place in the table ahead of Tuesday night’s meeting with champions Liversedge at Manse Lane (7.45pm).

In NCEL Division One, Harrogate Railway were held to a 1-1 draw on the road at Winterton Rangers.

Alex Burton handed the Starbeck outfit a 40th-minute advantage, however it took the hosts less than two minutes to restore parity through Lewis Shillito.

And Railway were unable to muster a second goal, with Saturday’s draw leaving them in third position, but eight points shy of second-placed Wakefield AFC.

This Saturday, Rob Youhill and Fraser Lancaster’s men entertain Goole (3pm).