NETHERTON claimed a major scalp in the Challenge Cup quarter-final when they beat West Riding County Amateur League outfit Marsden 2-1.

Goals by Danny Smith and Josh Rodgers clinched the victory to book a semi-final showdown against high-flying Meltham.

There were early signs of an upset when both Tom McCreadie and Dan Rodgers beat Marsden’s offside trap only to be denied by the keeper.

And sustained Netherton pressure was rewarded when Smith went on a solo run, before enticing the goalkeeper off his line to tuck away the opener.

But the goal encouraged Marsden and the visitors came out strongly in the second half and scored an equaliser.

But, with a handful of minutes remaining, Rodgers sent Netherton into the semis when he collected the ball outside the area and cleverly side-stepped two defenders before hitting a powerful, swerving shot into top corner.

In Division II Honley bridged the gap between the top and bottom of the section by holding runaway league leaders Sovereign Sports to a 2-2 draw.

There was little to separate the sides until the match exploded into life in the final 10 minutes when the score was 1-1.

Honley’s Chris McNamara had a header from Dave Bowker’s cross brilliantly saved, before Bowker reacted quickly to fire his side ahead when he slotted home a rebound.

Honley held on to the lead for almost an hour before Sean Carter’s speculative cross from the left floated over Mark Rowbottom’s head into the net.

With 10 minutes remaining Carter again tried with a long-range effort which dipped under the bar to give Sovereign a 2-1 lead.

Honley hit back and threw everything at the visitors and they were rewarded when Terry Howe’s challenge on the goalkeeper left Bowker in the clear and his drive was punched over the bar by a defender.

After a lengthy search for the penalty spot in the muddy area, Danny Knutton fired wide.

Then, with seconds to go, Knutton made amends with a mazy dribble through the defence and set up McNamara to scramble home the equaliser with the last action of the game.

Reserve Division II leaders Britannia Sports continued their push for promotion with a 5-2 win at Slaithwaite.

Simon Blakey fired Britannia ahead with a cheeky back heel and, although Slaithwaite searched for an equaliser, good defending by Mark Dawson and John Horbury at the back plus poor finishing kept the Colne Valley side at bay.

Britannia increased their lead through Ryan Lach and further goals by Blakey and Wood put the away team in firm control.

Slaithwaite, though, never gave up the chase and goals by Hollingworth and Johnson reduced the scoreline to 4-2 before Britannia responded with a second goal for Wood.

In the top flight Diggle maintained pressure on second-placed Uppermill with a 2-1 victory against Shepley.

After a goalless first half, Diggle tore into Shepley and deservedly took the lead before the hour mark after a corner from the left.

The ball spun into Leland Mayall’s path and he inched the ball through to strike partner Neil Rennie who turned and rasped a fierce drive into the top right corner.

But Diggle failed to press home their advantage and Shepley equalised after a long kick by the keeper. The bounce flummoxed the defence allowing the Shepley forward to nip in and score. But Diggle found a winner when substitute Steve Scoltock picked out Mayall who fired home from 18-yards.