The District League still has an interest in the County Cup competitions in the form of Kirkheaton Rovers, who have reached the quarter-finals of the West Riding County FA Challenge Trophy after a penalty shoot-out in which teenager James Arnold was the hero.

Rovers travelled to Horbury Town and, despite a torrential downpour in the morning, the game went ahead.

The home side opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a well-taken goal. A short corner was played to an on-rushing full-back who hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

This was the only goal of the first half in a period when both sides were evenly matched but there were few chances.

Rovers began better in the second half and they equalised, again following a corner. The Horbury keeper saved well to concede the corner but when the ball fell to Johnny Lodge, he scored from close range.

However, 10 minutes later Horbury were back in front from a five-yard tap-in. A further 10 minutes and it was all square again with another goal coming from a corner. The ball was played into the box and was cleared to defender Tom Buckley.

He beat one man and, with everybody expecting him to pull the ball back, he spotted the keeper was not covering his near post and fired home.

The game went into extra time but there were now plenty of tired legs, so chances were rare and it was no surprise that it eventually went to penalties.

Horbury took the first and struck the bar. Kirkheaton scored their first four so, going to the last two, it was now or never for the two takers.

The Horbury man scored his and so it was left to the Rovers last man, 18-year-old James Arnold.

Manager James Aylward was not absolutely certain the lad was keen, but he did volunteer. The boss need not have worried as Arnold’s spot kick sent Rovers through to the last eight, where they will now meet Honley or East End Park.

Rovers are in another do-or-die fixture today in their Division Two fixture with Skelmanthorpe. They are at present eight points behind the second-placed club and anything other than a win will end any hope of promotion.

In League action, Division One leaders Newsome were made to work hard for the three points against Shepley.

The only goal of the game came from Anthony Haigh, but Shelpey struck the woodwork in the dying minutes of the match.

The day got even better for Newsome when Heywood Irish beat Diggle 1-0. Newsome are now a massive 13 points clear of the second-placed side and it must surely be a matter of when and not if they lift the Division One Shield for the second successive season.

At the bottom of this division it was a vital three points for Berry Brow, who beat Scholes 3-1. Scholes look doomed for Division Two next season but Berry Brow move out of the bottom two with these three points.

If the Division One title is likely to be sorted out sooner than normal, that can’t be said of Division Four.

Almondbury Woolpack took over at the top but this was after only just beating second-bottom Kings Brigade 1-0.

They lead on goal difference from Moorside, who lost 3-0 in their local derby with 3D Dynamos. With Salendine Nook and Uppermill also winning, any of the top seven will be fancying their chances of promotion at least.