HEPWORTH United progressed to the third round of the Barlow Cup after a 3-1 away victory over fellow mid-table side Newsome WMC.

In windy conditions, Hepworth took the lead with their first attack when James Earnshaw latched onto a long clearance by Will Kilner and lobbed the ball over the stranded Newsome goalkeeper.

The lead was doubled on 20 minutes when James Basnett cut inside to score with a well-placed shot.

Hepworth’s first-half assault wasn’t finished, however, as Mathew Webster made it three with an effort that cannoned off the bar and went in, after he picked up a loose corner ball.

Newsome’s task was made more difficult after the break when their striker was sent off but, despite this, they rallied and gave Hepworth a scare.

They pulled one back when slack defending led to a scrappy goal, but the fightback never materialised and Hepworth held on to book a tie with high-flying Shepley in the next round.

In the league, top hosted bottom as New Mill ‘94 travelled to unbeaten Lepton High.

Rob Young nodded in Jamie Instone’s long throw to put the league leaders 1-0 up, but Mill soon turned the game on its head. They equalised after the break when a long pass led to confusion in the Lepton defence and the ball ended up in the net.

Things then got worse for Lepton as a stunning effort from Mill’s centre forward put his side 2-1 up.

Lepton needed to show some of the steel that has seen them drop just two points all season, and grabbed an equaliser when Scott Dean pounced in a goalmouth scramble.

Then Greg Mitchell crossed for brother Tom whose header was well kept out by the Mill keeper.

The game looked to be heading for a draw but another Instone throw caused disruptions in the Mill box before Craig Hall tapped home what turned out to be the winner.

It was harsh on Mill, who defended well all game, and felt the ball had gone out before Hall notched his winner.