Athersley Rec jumped out of the NCEL Division One relegation zone with a 4-3 home win over Route One Rovers on Tuesday.

The visitors took the lead but Kane Reece and James Woodhouse netted within a few minutes to put Athersley 2-1 up. Route One levelled then retook the lead seconds after the interval.

Harry Holland equalised for Rec then Woodhouse won it late on.

That result moved Athersley three points clear of the bottom three with a game in hand on the two sides immediately below them. They have ten games to play.

Manager Rob Landon said: “It was a really good win and the lads were incredible.

“Route One are the best footballing team in the league along with Wakefield. They have a kid (Zak Khan) who has scored 56 goals this season, one of the most in the country, but he didn’t score against us.

“Our lads showed a lot of character to come from behind twice.

“The relegation fight will go down to the last few games. I see other teams picking points up, and ourselves.

“We have won three of our last four home games so we are giving ourselves a chance.”

Meanwhile, Wombwell Town conceded a last-minute goal in a 2-1 loss at home to mid-table Thackley in the Premier Division.

Eddie Agnew put the hosts in front but Thackley levelled then scored in the 95th minute.

Last-placed Town have now lost their last five games and are 13 points adrift of safety with ten matches left. They are winless in 21 league games.

The midweek defeat was the first of six successive home games for the Wombwell club.

They host promotion-chasing Barton Town on Saturday then, on Tuesday, they welcome Albion Sports who are currently third-bottom.