A LATE rally by Warmley Saints could not save the Division I leaders from a 3-2 away defeat against Crosscourt United in the top-of- the-table clash at Redcatch Park.

After a goalless first half, Martin Cole fired the hosts in front and Ryan Turner added a second, before Matt O'Brien replied with a penalty for the Saints.

Crosscourt had a player sent off, but went 3-1 ahead when Turner struck again, before a goal from substitute Matt Summers sparked off a fightback by the Saints, which just failed to produce an equaliser.

"We were hanging on at the end," admitted Crosscourt's long-serving secretary Dave Forse, but Saints manager John O'Brien was disappointed not to take home at least a point.

Captain Rob Tucker's first hat-trick for the club was the catalyst for Stockwood Wanderers' 9-2 romp at Seymour Reserves.

Lloyd Minton also struck three times for the visitors, whose tally was completed by Danny Grant, Ollie Smith and Ben Freke. Lucus Racyk and Damian Snialek hit back for relegation-threatened Seymour.

Ross Davey and Josh Donaldson scored for Iron Actonin a 2-0 victory over Rangeworthy, while Dan Lockear grabbed the only goal for Miners Rangers in the basement battle with DRG Stapleton Reserves.

Hambrook went down 3-1 away to inconsistent St Pancras, for whom Liam Browning, Jelamin Wallis and Luke Picton (penalty) were on the mark.

Hanham Athletic Reserves moved up to third place in the Senior Division, behind Eden Grove and Brislington Cricketers, who were both without a game, after winning 2-0 at home to Sea Mills Park,

Otis Wilson shot the hosts in front and Richard Grinter doubled the lead late in the second half as the Millers, who had a player sent off, were pushing forward for an equaliser.

The visitors will have the chance to avenge the defeat when the teams meet again in the semi-final of the GFA Junior Cup on February 18 and the Millers' boss Ikie Greening is confident of reversing the result.

Coalpit Heath remain at the bottom without a point following a 9-0 battering by Cribbs Friends Life Reserves. Ace marksman Justin Cattle led the way with five goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Fred Hopkins, Tom Headford, Lewis Morgan and Matt Jones.

Portville Warriors stayed one point clear of De Veys in the Division II box seat after hammering Iron Acton Reserves 7-1. Van Papantoniou hit a hat-trick and the rout was completed by Ashley Tweedy (2), Gary Hunt and Sam Moore. Chris Iles netted for Iron Acton.

De Veys, meanwhile, beat Bradley Stoke thanks to John Bale (2) and Troy Beard, with his first goal for seven years!

Tom Hamett's strike could not save South Bristol Central from a 2-1 home defeat by Pucklechurch, whose marksmen were Ben Gardiner and Simon Backwell.

Robbie Underwood (2), Callum Wooley and Shaun White fired Bendix to a 4-1 success at Chipping Sodbury A, but Nicholas Wanderers A remain bottom despite winning 4-0 at Hanham A thanks to Lewis Carr's hat-trick and a Scott Andilow strike.

The game between Hartcliffe Reserves and Lebeq Reserves, the top two sides in Division III, was postponed, allowing Soundwell Victoria to close the gap with a 5-2 victory over Hambrook Reserves.

Colin and Tom Smyth were on target for Hartcliffe, but a hat-trick from Mark Hughes, Dean Walker's opportunist effort and an own goal sealed the points for Soundwell.

Martin Mowakwski also notched a treble for Horfield United, whose other scorer was James Forbes in the 4-1 home win against Henbury A.

Dave White scored for Greyfriars Reserves, who slumped to a surprise 4-1 away defeat to goals from Charlie James (3) and Lee Robinson for bottom club Oakland, while Lawrence Rovers Reserves drew 2-2 at home to Roman Glass St George B.

Cribbs A went down 5-2 in Division IV to 100 per cent leaders Real Thornbury, whose scorers were Sam Taylor, Mike Barton, Andy Brice, Pete Bennett and Tom Miller.

Second-placed Patchway North End won 2-0 at Pucklechurch Reserves with second-half strikes by Kris Reuben and Declan Colton, while Hallen A shared six goals with Talbot Knowle Reserves and Made For Ever Reserves beat Wick A 3-2 at Oldbury Lane.

Division V leaders Bishopsworth United lost for the first time this season, crashing 4-0 at Highridge, for whom Sammy Elson (3) and Jack Riddiford were on target.

Crosscourt Reserves missed the chance of drawing level on points at the top by losing 4-3 at Oldland Abbotonians A, whose scorers were Tom Moreland (3) and Paul Bray.

A 5-2 home success against Brimsham Green Reserves lifted Sea Mills Park Reserves to third place. Tom Williams hit a hat-trick, with Tom Keen and Luke Gardiner also on the mark.

Dean Ridler netted twice for Fishponds Athletic in their 5-1 romp at Bendix Reserves. Matt Dart, Richard James and Will Wysokwi were also on the scoresheet, while Steve Pallent replied with a penalty for Bendix.

Strikes by Sid West and Luke Willis and an own goal gave Iron Acton A a surprise 3-1 win away to Soundwell Victoria Reserves, for whom Jason Barter netted from the penalty spot.

Old Sodbury Reserves surrendered pole position in Division VI after going down 4-2 at home to South Bristol Central Reserves. Richard Duffy took his goal tally to 30 for the season with a double, to add to strikes by Craig Chapman and Steve Kelly. Reuben Draper and Ben Smith replied for the former leaders.

Broadlands took over top spot with a 4-1 home victory against Rangeworthy Reserves thanks to Dave Langridge, Craig Edmunds and two own goals.

Winford PH A and Fry Club B drew 5-5 in a thriller with goals from Jason Radnedge (2), Ian Palmer, Luke Derrick and Tom Durcan, cancelled out by replies from Tom Pitt (2), Joe Skinner, Phil Manning and Scott Janes for the Chocolatemen.