LOWLY District Division III outfit Grange Moor produced a huge shock when they beat leaders Lamb Inn 3-2.
Needing only two points from their last four games to clinch promotion, the previously unbeaten Lamb would have been expecting to seal the title against Moor, who had mustered only two league wins all season.
With Town’s caretaker boss Gerry Murphy looking on, Moor’s Halstead missed two good chances before Lamb took lead on 20 minutes – and a rout was thought to be on the cards.
But Moor dug in and, on 30 minutes, a corner from Moran on the left found Elliott in space to equalise with a header.
The game swung end-to-end, with both sides looking for their second, but it was Lamb who regained the lead when Moor failed to clear a corner and a mis-hit shot was sent across the six-yard box and the full-back scored from close range.
Moor made it 2-2 on 70 minutes when Keen forced a corner after his left-foot volley was tipped over the bar, and Moran picked out tall defender Elliott who scored.
Despite increasing pressure by Lamb, Moor held strong, and when Keen slotted a pass between the centre-backs he found Moran in full flow and his first-time effort was buried in the far corner to give Moor three vital points in the battle against relegation.
AFC Emley took a heavy beating, going down 5-1 at promotion-chasing Hall Road Rangers in the Northern Counties East League Division I. Goals from Martin Thacker, former Frickley and Rotherham striker Andy Haywood, Jamie Barnwell and two from Paul Palmer secured the victory while Lee Hill got Emley’s consolation.
Meanwhile, AFC goalkeeper, Jamie Green, has been put on standby for the Northern Ireland Under 20 side as they prepare for a tournament in Portugal later this week.
Ironically, the call comes at a time when he is unable to play for the NCEL side as he is currently serving a ban until May 5, picked up while playing for Sunday League side Moulders Arms.
Kirkburton Reserves were beaten 2-0 by leaders Steeton in the semi-finals of the Reserve Division Cup.
Goals by Chris Turner and Dave Scott handed the Leeds-based side victory. They face Ardsley Celtic in the final.
