MASTAB'S Premier Division leaders Cross Hills are through to the quarter-finals of the Northern Plant Hire Trophy – but not in the manner they expected.

Visitors Ilkley, who are 12th in Division Three, almost bridged a gap of 45 places in the league ladder before losing 3-2.

Cross Hills, whose man of the match was Joshua Page, now face Trawden Celtic at home in the last eight.

Broomhill, who are sixth in Division Two, did not join them, however, despite holding Division Three leaders Carleton to 3-3 at half-time at Ramper Park.

Carleton won 8-4 to book a last-eight tie at home to Settle United, goals coming from man of the match Robert Bradley (3), Stuart Gee (2), Joshua Banks, Gareth Lord and Daniel Thompson.

In the league, Craig Gregory grabbed a hat-trick as Cononley Sports got the new year off to a winning start in the Premier Division with a 3-1 victory at Grindleton, whose pitch was slippery after morning rain.

Gregory wasn't the only star, however, as Sports goalkeeper Elliott Hollings made three brilliant saves.

A neat exchange with Sam Wooley put Gregory through for his first goal, although Grindleton equalised on the stroke of half-time, with Cononley's defence appearing in vain for offside.

Gregory completed his hat-trick in the second half as Sports dominated, and another bonus was the return of Mish Allen after 18 months out with a cruciate ligament injury.

Wilsden, sidelined since December 6 due to four postponements, won 2-0 via James Whitaker and Jack Lancaster, at Cowling, who last played on November 22.

Skipton Town Reserves had little trouble reaching the semi-finals of the Division One Cup after a 4-1 home victory over Rolls Reserves.

Man of the match William Knight bagged a hat-trick and Liam Cartman got the other, with Chris Gaskell replying and Paul Oldroyd getting their gong.

The top two in Division One could not be separated as leaders Gargrave drew 2-2 with Chatburn, while Silsden Whitestar triumphed 5-1 at home to Bradley but remained third in the table.

Sam Stansfield fired in a hat-trick, Ben McClennon and Ben Ramsden completing the nap hand, while Ben O’Melia was man of the match. Robert Watson was the scorer for Bradley, whose man of the match was James Robinson.

Sutton, who won their first game of the season last month in the Division Two Cup, are now off the mark in the league as well following a 4-3 victory at Skipton LMS Reserves.

Michael Clarkson (2), John Crummack and Jamie Wilson ended Sutton's eight-match losing start to the season.

There were no alarms for Division Two leaders Grassington United Reserves, who won 9-3 at home to fourth-placed Grindleton Reserves.

Among those on the mark for United's second string were man of the match Adam Steventon (4), Kyle Telford (2), Ben Gannon and Graham Hunn, while Settle United Reserves swapped places with eighth-placed Salts after defeating them 6-0.

If there was almost a shock for Cross Hills, there was no escape for their fourth-placed reserves, who lost 2-1 in a surprise result at 12th-placed Barnoldswick Barons in Division Three.

Jimmy Anson netted for the second string before half-time in what was a sluggish encounter, the Barons swiftly equalising in the second half before getting the winner with 15 minutes left, climbing three places as a consequence.

Andrew Hardeman and Tom Pilling struck for Bradley in their 5-2 home defeat to Addingham, Chris Hogg getting the man of the match award for the losers.

Daniel Leach took the gong for Cowling Reserves but he couldn't prevent a 9-3 setback at third-placed Trawden Celtic Reserves.

Meanwhile, Skipton Town are up to fourth on the back of a 9-1 thrashing of Barlick Wanderers.

Marksmen for the reserves were Shane Dwyer (3), Josh Newton (2), Liam Coates, Darren Hey, man of the match Naq Hussain and substitute Ross Greenwood. Jordan Driver netted for Wanderers and was also their best player.