Walker strike moves Boro five points clear at the top

The Boro forward’s first-half goal sealed a 1-0 success, moving the Manse Lane club five points clear of second-placed Eccleshill United with a game in hand to boot,

Paul Stansfield’s men were once again made to battle hard for the spoils in a game marred by drizzly weather.

Steve Bromley fired wide early on, but Knaresborough were then presented with the only goal of the game in the 10th minute of Saturday’s contest.

Visiting goalkeeper James Pollard cleared the ball straight to Walker, who had time to steady himself before firing inside the far post of an unguarded net.

Bromley again went close after Rob Youhill had cut in from the right wing, but his snap-shot flew wide of the post before Greg Kidd saw a long-range effort saved by Pollard.

The Swallownest gloveman was beaten for a second time just before the half-hour-mark when a superb 30-yard strike from Will Lenehan flew past him, but the ball struck the underside of the crossbar and rebounded into the grateful hands of the custodian.

The visitors created their clearest chance of the contest seven minutes into the second period when captain Jack Watts broke free of the home defence, only to be met by Jack Rushworth who advanced towards the edge of the penalty area and beat away a curling strike.

At the other end, Ben Parkes curled a shot narrowly wide of the away goal before Lenehan’s cross-shot was tipped wide by Pollard.

Late chances did materialise, but Parkes fired over and a Walker effort was too weak to really trouble Pollard as Boro had to settle for a one-goal margin of victory.