PELTON Fleece Inn failed to take full advantage of Stanley Sunday League leaders South Moor Sports being on cup duty even though they did close the gap between them to four points.

The Fleece knew that victory over mid-table Stanley RAFA and then full points from their game in hand would have seen them move two points clear of the Sports.

But after being held 1-1 at home by the RAFA, those hopes have now been scuppered. Simon Peacock netted for Fleece and Paul Woodhouse replied for RAFA.

Grange Villa continued their climb up the table with a fifth win and a 9-2 home success over Blackhill Scotch Arms. Jon Haley scored four of the goals for Grange Villa with the others coming from and Ian Pinchen, hat-trick, and Colin Harrison, 2.

And Stanley Blue Boar are another team on the climb after their 6-1 home win over stuggling Pelton Fell Club, who are now a pale shadow of the side that pushed South Moor Sports all of the way last season.

Derek Parkin did the bulk of the damage with a hat-trick with Tony Robinson, Kraig Wilkinson and John Tyman also on the mark. Lee Hutchinson scored for Fell.

The struggle goes on at the other end of the table where Masons Arms remain rooted in bottom after a 10-0 mauling by Pelton Crown Inn.

The Crown found themselves a goal up from Del Swift after just 24 seconds and from then on it was one-way traffic.

Swift got his second from the penalty, and Paul Weatherburn, 2, Gary Tague, 2, Grant Nattrass, 2, Gary Baker, and new signing Mark Graver made up the double figures.

South Moor Sports saw their run in the Durham County Sunday Cup come to an end when they lost 5-4 in the first round at home to Peterlee FC.

Sports were always in front until the last minute, their goals coming through from Chris Hewitt, 2, Colin Pither and Rowland Lee. Sports will have to enter at the preliminary stage next season