KIRKBY Malzeard ensured their premier division survival with a 3-3 draw at home to Thackley on Saturday.

Kirkby knew a win would guarantee their safety and they started well, taking a tenth minute lead through Paul Pollard.

However, high-flying Thackley equalised ten minutes later, before Andy Thompson then had the chance to restore the hosts' advantage after James Mason was brought down in the area in the 32nd minute.

But his spot kick was saved by the Thackley keeper and to compound that miss, the visitors then broke out to go in front before the break. Kirkby went on to dominate the second half and goals from Mason and substitute Ashley Atkinson looked set to give them the win they needed, but with just eight minutes left a corner from the visitors hit the crossbar and bounced into the net off Kirkby keeper Charlie Scratchard to mean the points were shared.

However, with other results going their way, Kirkby are now safe with two matches still to play.

Bedale Town were beaten 3-1 at 2007 champions Sherwood.

Steve Dawson equalised a first half goal from the hosts on the hour, but Sherwood scored twice more in the final 20 minutes to condemn Bedale to another defeat.

In division one, Masham eased away from the drop zone with a comfortable 4-1 win at Killinghall Nomads. Paul Swain gave Masham the lead midway through the first half, while an own goal doubled their advantage before the break. Swain then sealed the points with a neat finish 20 minutes from time, before substitute Dougie Arnold continued his recent purple patch by adding a fourth soon after.

The hosts did grab a last minute consolation, but the three points almost certainly mean that Masham will be enjoying division one football again next season.

In division two, Ripon City A enjoyed back-to-back wins over Beckwithshaw Saints Reserves last week to virtually ensure their safety.

On Thursday of last week they twice came from behind to win 4- 2 away from home. Darren Dennis and Stephen Fletcher both scored equalisers either side of the break, while late goals from Tommy Pinter and Dennis again gave them a vital three points.

On Saturday, a second half goal from Tim Edney was just enough to give them the points again to mean that at least one point from their final two matches will guarantee Ripon division two football next season.

Kirkby Malzeard Reserves have enjoyed a fine end to the season, despite their relegation being confirmed a fortnight ago. On Thursday of last week they beat Boroughbridge A 4-2 at home to make it three games without defeat.

An early shot from Matty Uffindall was deflected in off Boroughbridge defender Chris Woods, while Uffindall then hit a further two strikes to claim a hat-trick and put Kirkby firmly in control before the break. But the visitors staged a second half comeback, and goals from Johnny Brear and John Ibbotson brought them right back into it by the hour mark.

However, Kirkby broke out to seal only their third league win of the season through Liam Pallett 12 minutes from time.

In division three, Catterick Village remain on course for promotion after a 7-1 win at Pannal Sports A. Alan Coe gave the visitors an early lead after his son Andy had headed the ball back across goal for him to tap home, while Andy himself made it 2-0 soon after following a great ball from Marc Gray.

Pete Hurry's cross was then turned home by a Pannal defender as Catterick dominated, and Alan Coe grabbed his second from the penalty spot with the match still less then half an hour old.

Andy Coe then scored his 33rd goal of the season to make it 5-0 before the hosts hit a consolation just before the break.

Mark Pearson was next on the scoresheet following good work from Danny Charlton on the hour while Tom Keegan, who had had a hand in three of the previous goals, got a fine one of his own to complete the scoring 20 minutes from time.

Ripon Red Arrows lost in a cup semi-final for the second time this season when they were thrashed 9-1 at Knaresborough Town from the West Yorkshire league in the last four of the Hulme Cup last Saturday.

The Arrows were up against it from the start, and they only had a penalty from Steve Hall to show for their efforts. Two days earlier, the Arrows had drawn 2- 2 at Brafferton Rangers in a division three fixture.

Hall gave the Arrows an early lead, but the hosts had turned the match around with two strikes before the break.

However, the struggling visitors grabbed a point in the second half when Danny Sheppard fired home a fine equaliser 20 minutes from time.