CARPERBY fell just short in their quest to lift the North Riding Challenge Cup after a late 2-1 defeat against Dormans at Northallerton last week.

John Pickard's fierce volley in the first half was well saved and Rovers found themselves a goal down at the break against the Middlesbrough side.

Pickard levelled on the hour mark when he latched on to a loose ball in the box and slotted home, but the Teesside League second division leaders snatched the winner with eight minutes left with a breakaway goal.

Carperby had another crucial match last Saturday, drawing 1-1 with league leaders Middleham in a title crunch game.

Nick Oliver gave Rovers the lead when his shot crept in at the near post just after a goalless first half, but Middleham soon levelled.

Glynn Barnard turned his man near the touchline and fired a glorious effort into the far top corner in the same movement.

Pickard then saw his penalty saved by Town keeper Andrew Steel - a stop which could well clinch the championship for Middleham.

But Rovers are still well in the hunt after a 3-0 Easter Monday triumph at in-form Reeth. Tony Bowers missed an early penalty for the hosts and Rovers made them pay with three goals in just over ten minutes.

Peter Alderson finished well after a good Mark Robinson cross, Oliver added a second after a strong run and shot and a Reeth defender headed into his own net following a giant kick-out from Chris Parker.

Carperby keeper Parker produced a superb display to keep the score at 3-0, allowing Rovers to move 12 points behind Middleham with four games in hand.

Reeth had performed better on the Saturday, beating Leyburn 3-1. Leyburn took the lead early on when Carl Handley chipped the keeper, but Reeth levelled immediately. Steve Allison notched a glorious goal, heading John Simpson's sweeping ball over a defender's head and meeting it with a stunning volley on the other side.

Bowers added a penalty soon after and Allison got his second after Bowers' shot was only parried.

Defensive lynchpin Simpson almost grabbed a rare goal, but his 40-yard scorcher crashed off the crossbar.

Leyburn also slumped 2-1 to Bowes on Easter Monday despite contributing to an entertaining, but goalless, first half. Wayne Thwaites hit two goals for Bowes - converting a Neil Gulliver cross and smashing a free kick in off the bar - before Leyburn got a late consolation.

Bowes, who have a number of games to fit in, had beaten Hawes United 5-2 two days beforehand.

Scott Walker and Andrew Close both bagged doubles for Bowes as they comfortably swept aside a makeshift Hawes side.

Ryan Lambert, who normally plays in goal, and Jonny Champion scored to make the long journey more worthwhile.

And United grabbed their first league win since October with a 1-0 win against their B team on the holiday Monday. Stuart Sunter notched half an hour through a very tight encounter.

Richmond Buck rounded off their season with a 2-1 victory over Redmire. Michael Platt put the Buck ahead direct from a corner, but Neil McGregor cut inside to level following a great ball from Stuart Gall.

Gall cleared off the line and United keeper Drew Kettlewell made a series of fine saves as Redmire held out in the second half, but Bobby Fotheringham grabbed the winner on the break as he fired into the bottom corner.