A hat-trick for Oliver Fearon, his fifth of the season, helped Toolstation NCEL Premier Division leaders AFC Mansfield to a 5-1 home win over Harrogate Railway Athletic to move the Bulls eighteen points clear at the summit on Saturday.

The visitors, though, began the brightest as they took the lead in the fourth minute through Nathan Merchant as they looked to spring a surprise in their battle to avoid relegation.

But, Connor Smythe levelled on the quarter-hour mark before James Ghaichem and Fearon's first gave the hosts a 3-1 halftime lead that was then built on with two further goals from the division's top scorer to make it twelve wins in a row and seventeen undefeated for Rudy Funk's side.

Handsworth Parramore started the day in second but lost ground as they were held 1-1 at Barton Town, the home side equalising in the 84th minute through Joshua Tennant to cancel out Oscar Radford's first half opener and give his side a vital point in their fight to stay in the top flight.

The Amber Parras drop to third having been overtaken by Pickering Town who thrashed visitors Garforth Town 7-0 with two goals each for Ryan Blott and Joe Danby whilst Matthew Turnbull, Billy Logan and Thomas Claisse also got on the scoresheet.

Penistone Church consolidated eighth spot with a 4-1 win at Hall Road Rangers, Tom Brennan's first half injury strike added to by a Fraser Hansen own goal and late strikes from Andrew Ring and Freddie Russell before their hosts found the net through Christopher Spinks.

Penistone now have a five point lead on ninth placed Bridlington Town who, despite an early opener from Joel Sutton, were beaten 2-1 at Bottesford Town who move up to eleventh thanks to goals from Declan Bacon and Alex Holden.

Worksop Town's new management team of Duncan Milligan and John Buckley got their reign off to a winning start as they beat bottom side Clipstone 3-0 at the King of Soho Stadium, Mitcham Husbands, Charlie Baird and Steven Woolley finding the net as the Tigers climb to tenth.

Three matches in the Premier Division, meanwhile, were called off due to bad weather with Athersley Recreation's home clash with Pontefract Collieries, Staveley Miners Welfare's trip to Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Parkgate versus Liversedge all postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

A trio of Division One games were also cancelled, AFC Emley at home to Shirebrook Town, Worsbrough Bridge Athletic versus Eccleshill United and Yorkshire Amateur's home encounter with Selby Town.

Leaders Knaresborough Town took advantage of second-placed Eccleshill's unexpected free weekend but they had to battle hard to claim a 1-0 win over visitors Swallownest and extend their advantage to five points, Brad Walker with what proved the decisive goal after ten minutes.

Grimsby Borough stay nine points away from the top in third as they won 3-0 at Glasshoughton Welfare, Arthur Okonkwo, Daniel Trott and a penalty from Luke Mascall all coming in the second half for the Wilderness Boys.

Welfare remain in seventh as the two sides who could have leapfrogged them, Campion and Winterton Rangers, both drew 2-2 on their travels.

Thomas Robinson earned a point for Campion at Hallam, his 54th minute strike levelling the scores after their tenth-placed hosts went in 2-1 up at the break.

Winterton, meanwhile, twice led at Rossington Main through Lewis Bemrose but first Curtis Mann and then Jordan Buckham in injury time ensured that the spoils were shared.

Ollerton Town are up to thirteenth as they won 1-0 at near neighbours FC Bolsover, Sam West with the goal just after the hour mark, and they go above Swallownest and Armthorpe Welfare who went down 6-3 at Nostell Miners Welfare.

Liam Owen struck a hat-trick for Nostell who move three points further away from the danger zone and are now eighteenth in the table.

Two goals for Daniel Walker helped East Yorkshire Carnegie to a 3-1 victory at bottom side Retford United whilst Brigg Town remain in 21st after they went down 2-0 at Dronfield Town, Callum Mawbey and Mark Fereday with first half strikes for the hosts.

Photo: Celebrations for Bottesford Town after Alex Holden's late winner earns them a 2-1 home win over Bridlington Town in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division on Saturday. (Credit: Rob Barraclough)

Match Highlights