ACKLAM Steelworks clinched the league title last Saturday when they earned the necessary point in a dramatic finish to their match at Bedale Athletic.

The first half hour was very even, but Acklam took the lead in the 33rd minute through Eric Warburton.

The home side immediately levelled through their leading scorer Adam Bramley and the visitors appeared to be struggling when substitute Andrew Wheatley was sent off for a reckless tackle in the second half.

Bramley gave Bedale a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute and three minutes later he completed his hat-trick with his 29th goal of the season.

Acklam seemed to be heading for their first league defeat of the season, but their fighting spirit shone through as the ten men battled back and pulled a goal back when Steve Boyle, who has scored in the last three matches, netted his 13th of the season.

With the match going into time added on by referee John Blake, a penalty was awarded and Dave Mobberley kept his nerve to square the match.

Nunthorpe Athletic took a 30th minute lead against Wolviston Reserves through Lee Doughty, but the much improved visitors fought back and deservedly equalised in the 69th minute through Ian Thompson.

Nunthorpe, who are vying with Cargo Fleet for the runners-up spot, pushed forward to try to win all three points, but Wolviston were well worth their point. Fleet, with two games in hand on Nunthorpe, can pip them by a point, but both have Acklam still to play.

A penalty five minutes from time gave Carlin How a 1-0 victory over Thornaby and revenge for their Raine Trophy extra-time defeat. Kevin Solomon got up to convert the spot kick after he was brought down by Gary Wyatt.

Fishburn Park took an 11th-minute lead over visitors Thornaby Youth Club through Lee Found, but the Youth Club hit back after 35 minutes when Michael Arif scored and ten minutes into the second half they clinched a 2-1 win with a cracking shot from Darren Humphrey.

New Marske inflicted a third consecutive defeat on Richmond Town with a 2-0 win. Craig Mendum gave them the lead four minutes into the second period and Paul Richter scored their second in the 69th minute.

Whitby Town Reserves were full of confidence following their 7-0 win over Cargo Fleet on Wednesday, but a rejuvenated BEADS side took the lead five minutes before half-time through Steven Murphy.

The home side equalised in the last minute through Jonathan Newton.

Holders Grangetown Boys Club reached the final of the Macmillan Bowl after defeating Cargo Fleet 5-2 in an entertaining semi-final last Saturday. They face Thornaby on May 14 at Guisborough Town's ground.

The match sparked into action in the fourth minute when Steve Cochrane scored with a penalty for Grangetown, but Paul Blake rifled in an equaliser 11 minutes later.

Grangetown regained the lead when Ian McGowan's cross was sliced into his own net by Carl Brown and three minutes before half-time a good run by Anthony Roberts resulted in a second own goal when Michael Crowe knocked the ball into his own net.

A minute into the second half, Cochrane's inch-perfect cross was nodded home at the back post by Ian Webster to make it 4-1 and two minutes later the match was all over when McGowan headed home his 14th of the season.

Fleet pulled a second goal back on the hour when Paul Jewitt fired home a 20-yard free kick.

For the second time in as many weeks, Stokesley SC asked their opponents to play on the Friday evening as their pitch was unavailable on the Saturday.

Mackinlay Park agreed and the home side raced into a 2-0 lead with a brace from Lee Escritt, but on the stroke of half-time the visitors pulled one back through Graham Murtha.

Mackinlay drew level on the hour with a first of the season from Christopher Coward, but in the 80th minute Stokesley took a winning 3-2 lead through Dominic Ingram.