The NCEL Premier Division title race took a twist at the weekend after leaders Sheffield were beaten at Carlton Town.

Two goals in the final three minutes from a Daniel Blair penalty and Anthony Howell added to an earlier strike by Howell to give the hosts a 3-0 victory.

And, second placed Retford United took full advantage by beating bottom side Brodsworth Welfare 2-0 at the Welfare Ground.

Adam Kerley struck just before the half-hour mark whilst Neil Harvey scored in second half injury time to make sure of the points and stretch the Badgers? unbeaten run to sixteen games.

More importantly, they have closed the gap between themselves to seven points with three games in hand.

That is the first time Retford have been able to catch up the leaders in the recent race for the Premier Division crown.

Maltby Main have dropped two places to fifth after a late comeback by Shirebrook Town saw them draw 2-2 at Muglet Lane.

Two goals from Ashley Longstaff had seemingly put them well on their way to three points before Andy Jones and Chris Wall dragged the visitors back into the game in the last five minutes.

The well-earned point for Shirebrook keeps them in nineteenth but they are now six points clear of Brodsworth.

Meanwhile, Maltby were displaced by Mickleover Sports and Garforth Town who both won to move up to third and fourth, respectively.

A Sean Gummer penalty on 86 minutes saw Sports claim a 2-1 victory at home to Eccleshill United after Jamie Barrett?s opener for them had been cancelled out by Ryan Senior.

And, Garforth Town survived a late comeback by hosts Glapwell to win 3-2 at Hall Corner.

Bret Renshaw and Chris Kamara had Simon Clifford?s side two-up within eighteen minutes before Jason St Juste added a third at the start of the second period.

But, Glapwell pulled one back quickly through Ian Brown and an own goal from Milton Turner on 71 minutes closed the deficit to one goal but the visitors held on.

Selby Town went up one place in the table after a Graham Whitehead strike on 88 minutes saw them win 1-0 at Hallam, the side they replace in eighth.

And, in the only other movement in the Premier Division, Liversedge have moved up to eleventh after a seven-goal thriller at home to Armthorpe Welfare.

A Ryan Buckley penalty and a David Boardman goal saw them in control by half-time before Bruno Holden pulled one back for Welfare on 58 minutes.

Sedge seemingly put the game beyond doubt with Noel Whitaker and a second from Buckley but Paul Ashton grabbed two late goals for the visitors to make it a nervy finale but the hosts hung on to win 4-3.

Arnold Town showed great battling spirit to claim a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Sutton Town despite being reduced to ten men after fifteen minutes.

Sutton took the lead through James Dooley on 36 minutes before, ironically, Lee Sutton grabbed the equaliser with less than quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

A brace from Steve Baxter helped Pickering Town to a 3-1 home victory over Glasshoughton Welfare and Scott Downie?s late equaliser saw Long Eaton United share a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Thackley.

The top three NCEL Division One sides all won their matches as the chase for promotion hots up.

Parkgate maintained their eleven point lead at the summit after they came from behind to win 3-1 at home to Borrowash Victoria.

Kieran Saxton had put the Vics ahead but Parkgate were leading by half-time thanks to Brian Cusworth and Matt Outram.

Cusworth then scored his second and his 22nd league goal of the season on 47 minutes to secure the victory.

The two sides below Parkgate both won 1-0, Winterton Rangers claiming the three points at Gedling Town whilst Craig Stephens scored the only goal of the game in Nostell Miners Welfare?s victory at home to Lincoln Moorlands.

There were also single goal victories for Tadcaster Albion and Hall Road Rangers, who beat Yorkshire Amateur at home and hosts Worsbrough Bridge, respectively.

Pontefract Collieries and Teversal played out a goalless draw at the Abstract Stadium whilst Dinnington Town moved up three places to seventh with a 3-0 home win over AFC Emley.

Liam Cartledge scored from the penalty spot after nine minutes, his 200th goal in 200 games, before Rob Ward added a second half-way through the first period.

Cartledge scored the third after the interval.

Meanwhile, the friendly between South Normanton Athletic and Central Midlands side Blackwell Miners Welfare was postponed as Blackwell were unable to field a team.