Cleethorpes Town and AFC Emley go into the Christmas period as the leaders of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division and Division One, respectively, but both know a tough challenge lies ahead in the races for the title.

Cleethorpes' six match winning streak in the league came to an end as they were beaten 2-0 by hosts Bridlington Town who stay fourth but have closed the gap to the top to eleven points with three games in hand thanks to goals from Nicky McNamara and Joel Sutton.

Thackley and Pickering Town also took advantage as they both won to keep their positions in the top three.

Patrick McGuire's brace sandwiching a Craig Bentham strike earned Thackley a 3-0 victory over visitors Garforth Town and they are second, seven points behind Cleethorpes.

Pickering raced into a 3-0 lead at Rainworth Miners Welfare, two from Billy Logan and a Eddy Birch goal netted in a five minute period midway through the first half, before Declan Brewin pulled one back for the hosts, Nicholas Thompson made it 4-1 on 57 and then Harry Bamford and Nicholas Langford brought the Wrens back to within touching distance with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining but the Pikes ran out 4-3 winners.

A Daniel Facey brace helped Albion Sports to a 3-1 win at Armthorpe Welfare and the Lions move up to fifth spot above Handsworth Parramore who were beaten 5-4 at Athersley Recreation, Lee Garside's late winner and his second of the afternoon sealing the points in a dramatic game.

All three of the teams in the relegation zone had little festive cheer as they were all beaten with basement side Barton Town Old Boys going down 2-1 at home to Clipstone, Joseph Austin with what proved to be the vital second for the visitors in the opening minutes of the second half.

Next-to-bottom Parkgate lost 2-0 at Maltby Main, Keegan Burton and Joshua Schofield with the goals, whilst there was utter misery for Retford United who were thrashed 13-0 at AFC Mansfield, the joint heaviest defeat in NCEL history.

James Cullingworth scored four whilst there was a hat-trick for Oliver Fearon, a double from Lynton Karkach and further goals from James Ghaichem, Matthew Plummer, Ryan Williams and Gary Bradshaw in a game that was 2-0 at half-time.

Elsewhere, there was a hat-trick for Steven Carty as Staveley Miners Welfare prevailed over visitors Bottesford Town, 4-1, and there were two goals each for Kyle Jordan and Mitcham Husbands in Worksop Town's 5-2 home victory over Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

And, Rhys Davies struck twice for Liversedge but late goals from Samuel Denton and Callum Robinson saw hosts Harrogate Railway Athletic win 3-2.

In Division One, Ashley Flynn's hat-trick secured a 3-2 home victory over Eccleshill United and they stay at the summit a point ahead of Penistone Church who won 3-1 at home to Ollerton Town, Daniel Joynes' opening minute strike added to by Dale Kelly and then a Lewis Dickinson penalty.

Christopher Wood netted in injury time to keep Pontefract Collieries in third spot, two points off the top, after their 1-0 victory at Rossington Main and a single goal was enough for Grimsby Borough as they beat visitors Hallam with Luke Fanthorpe separating the sides in the second minute.

Borough go up into fourth above Hall Road Rangers whose match at home to Shirebrook Town was abandoned at half-time with the hosts leading 3-0 and the league will be investigating the circumstances that resulted in the game being called off.

Bottom-placed Nostell Miners Welfare stay nine points from safety after they went down 5-1 at home to Yorkshire Amateur, Adam Shaw grabbing two for the visitors, whilst the other side in the drop zone Westella & Willerby were also beaten, 1-0 at Teversal, thanks to a first half injury time goal from Brett Watson.

Conor Glavin got both of Glasshoughton Welfare's goals in their 2-1 victory at Brigg Town, there was also a brace for Liam Flanagan as Selby Town beat hosts Dronfield Town, 3-2, and a second minute Sebastian Carole penalty was enough for Knaresborough Town as they won 1-0 at home to Campion.