POOR weather ‘ruined’ the drawn derby between Dearne and District and Worsbrough Bridge with the latter feeling the result suited them better in the race for first place in NCEL Division One.

After the 1-1 draw, Dearne stay top but have taken just a point from their last two games.

They are five points ahead of Worsbrough who have two games in hand, but third-placed Harrogate Railway are just two points off Bridge having played two games fewer.

One side is promoted automatically while the next four play in the play-offs.

Dearne had won 11 consecutive home matches since the opening day while Worsbrough had won ten in a row away since their first of the season.

Worsbrough are unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions, winning 17.

Bridge boss Lee Morris said: “I think Dearne needed to beat us more than we needed to beat them because we have games in hand.

“We can walk away happy with a point at the leaders.

“It should have been an unbelievable spectacle but it was ruined by the weather.

“The rain and wind were atrocious and the pitch cut up.

“We probably should have won but we could have lost it.

“Overall a draw was a fair result.

“Fair play to both teams, they were really up for it.”

Bridge’s previous league game was a 3-3 draw with the other side in the title race Harrogate Railway.

Morris said: “When you play the top two back to back, if you lose both you are miles behind or win both and you could be top.

“But two draws just shows how close the top three are.

“We have a lot of games coming up now, weather permitting.

“We’ve played the so-called big guns but there will be twists and turns.

“All the teams at the top will lose games they shouldn’t.

“Nobody will lay down and let you tickle their belly.

“Teams have a lot of good players and we won’t perform in every game.”

Dearne manager Zeph Thomas said: “It was gutting that the weather was like it was because we are two local teams who are doing really well.

“There were about 200 fans there but, if the weather was a bit better, the attendance could have been doubled easily.

“Unfortunately the rain scared a few people off.

“I think we edged it in terms of clear-cut chances.

“In the last five minutes, we missed a sitter of a header and hit the crossbar.

“We’re in a good position but Worsbrough and Harrogate, if they win their games in hand, can go above us.

“We just need to be more consistent, go on another good run and stay top as long as we can.

“If someone said we would be in this position at the start of the season, we would definitely have taken it.”

Worsbrough’s Keelan Grist opened the scoring with a controversial penalty just before half-time then Jamie Austin levelled.

Bridge were given another penalty late on but it was saved by Ellis Pickard.

Morris said: “Our usual penalty-taker Connor Glavin was suspended so Keelan Grist took them both.

“The ‘keeper made a decent save from the second one.

“That could have won it for us but then Dearne hit the bar and had another chance as well.”

For the first penalty, Dearne defender Owen Fieldsend appeared to block a shot with his face but a handball was given.

Morris said: “I’ve looked back at it in slow motion and it’s clearly not a penalty.

“I can’t blame any referee that makes the decision in that weather, for getting something wrong.

“I couldn’t see it from where I was, but obviously we all claimed for it.

“There referee must have thought it was something there.

“You couldn’t see past your nose.”

Thomas added: “When you see it back it’s even more shocking.

“Refereeing is hard but sometimes you need to give yourself a second.

“Even if it hit his arm, he’s that close, what is he supposed to do?

“The ref couldn’t wait to give it in our opinion.

“It’s tough because it’s fine margins when two good teams are going for league and you don’t want talking points about questionable decisions.

“Even the second penalty was debatable but it was a great save from Ellis.”

Worsbrough then won 4-1 at home to Louth Town on Wednesday.

Harrison Marvin opened the scoring in the first minute then Liam Flanagan doubled the lead.

Louth replied but Benjamin Pike and Lloyd Smith netted either side of half-time.