Royd keeper Tom Earle was in inspirational form and saved a Sam Taylor penalty on 25 minutes.

This seemed to spur Royd on with Richard Ingram and Adam Watts proving a handful. Referee Dave Sutcliffe waved away appeals for another Cross penalty after it appeared Ken Dodd was brought down by Liam Barrett.

Royd went straight down the other end and scored through Ingram giving them a deserved lead. Cross were grateful to keeper Matt Wilson who kept his side in the game with a number of top drawer saves.

Both sides missed chances but it was Royd who looked as though they might hang on for the win.

However, all their good work started to unravel after 65 minutes when a mistake by the keeper allowed Taylor to prod home the first goal of his hat-trick.

Royd seemed to lose confidence and Andy Hudson completed a flattering win for the visitors.

Bottom club Hollins Holme gave Jacks Bar a run for their money, scoring four times but conceding seven.

And fellow strugglers Bradshaw Phoenix eased their position at the wrong end of the table with a 4-2 success over second bottom Southowram - a result that opened up a three point gap between the two sides.

Division Two

STUBBING Wharf boss Rick Payne is relishing what he considers to be the club's best campaign to date as they lifted themselves into second place with a 3-2 win over King Cross CB&AC Reserves.

Cross took an early lead but Wharf powered back to lead 2-1 at the break courtesy of goals from Elliot Ormerod and Gaz Proctor.

Proctor then added his second before Cross made for a nervy last few minutes when they pulled another goal back.

"We have got some good young players in and we are playing well," said Payne.

"We are glad to be up there pushing at the top of the league."

Church Stile Stallions remain ahead of Wharf by a solitary point following their 4-1 success over Jacks Bar Reserves.