The Devonshire Carpets Craven League had a depleted programme when a number of clubs were involved in the County Challenge Cup and Trophy competition.

West Craven-based clubs are keeping the flag flying for this area.

Barnoldswick Town in the Challenge Cup had a 5-1 home win over Halifax side Northowran, while Pendle Renegades defeated Brighouse Old Boys 4-1 and Pendle Athletic won a penalty shoot-out at Pool AFC after finishing 3-3 after extra time in the Challenge Trophy to progress to the next round.

But several local teams can count themselves unlucky as they lost some close encounters.

Settle United's trip to Hatfield Main got off to the worst possible start conceding a goal in the first minute.

However Luke Ford equalised with a superb 25-yard strike but the home team were soon back in front before David Worthington levelled with a well-taken goal.

Settle struggled to keep the home team at bay and were 5-2 down at the break.

But credit must be given to the Settle side for their effort and commitment as Worthington scored again leaving a final score of 6-3 against opponents who played some quality football and could on this performance be difficult to beat.

Bradley, who have yet win this season, had a difficult tie at Huddersfield-based Newsome WMC who had previously beaten Steeton 4-0 and were heavily beaten 8-0.

Skipton LMS lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Dudley Hill Rangers, Skipton Town also went out 2-0 to Harrogate League outfit Kirk Deighton Rangers, while in the Trophy Grindleton had a narrow defeat at Morley Town by 2-1 and Kelbrook Reserves suffered a 3-0 reversal at Kippax Welfare of the West Yorkshire league.

In the Premier Division Cononley Sports won at table toppers WFC Clitheroe.

Starting the stronger Cononley took a two-goal lead through Shaun Green and Wayne Lee but Clitheroe reduced the lead before half time. Two Chris Lumsden goals gave Cononley a very good win by 4-1.

Hellifield also started strong against Embsay without any reward as Embsay playing down the slope got their game together and scored a very good goal.

Carl Stanford missed a penalty for Hellifield. However they were soon level when James Hordern headed home a free-kick and the game was very even in the second half until Hellifield scored the winner when Stanford's cross was met by sub Steven Proctor who netted in excellent fashion.

Gargrave shared the points at Clitheroe Lions in a nail-biting finish when they were trailing 2-0 with only minutes to go. Young Matthew Simpson, who had an excellent game, was rewarded with a goal and the dependable Paul Wilkin netted the equaliser to share the spoils.

In Division One Gargrave Reserves gave a classic display of attacking football to beat Intake 6-0.

The pace and youth of the home side proved too much for the visitors and with better finishing the scoreline could have been larger.

Joel Timmins, Matt Brown and a hat-trick from Ben Brown, including a penalty which required three rebounds before finding the net.

Rolls Royce took the lead at Carleton when a goalkeeping error gave Stead an easy tap in and Craig Walton increased the lead from the penalty spot.

In the second half Rolls added a third when Stead's curling shot hit the bar, post and keeper before finding the net. Carleton got back into the game scoring from a free-kick only for Rolls to score again through sub Jason Wright.

Carleton replied with two goals to make for a tense finish in which Rolls hit the post on two occasions. Rolls went on to win 4-3.

There was a welcome win in Division Two for Horton 4-2 over Grassington United Reserves.

Ben Pilkington converted two penalties and Nick Cokell also netted a brace and with goalkeeper Campbell making two good saves.

Rolls Royce and Skipton LMS battled out a scoreless draw with very few chances being created by either side which must have been disappointing to both teams.

There was no such problem for goals between Skipton Town Reserves and Cononley Reserves as Will Knight gave Town the lead.

The evergreen Clive Carroll hit a terrific shot to extend the lead only for Chris Watson to reduce the score. Adam Griffith side-footed home to give Town a two-goal margin however a penalty almost on half-time by Dean Simpson gave Cononley some hope.

Both sides missed chances before Knight scored his second and then completed his hat-trick to give his side an unassailable lead.

But Cononley's good play brought them two late goals through Simpson and Mick Beilby to make for an exciting finish when Town's goalkeeper made some good saves to win the match. Referee Alan Robinson contributed to this game with his control.

In Division Three Settle United Reserves are climbing the table having found their feet in Craven football after many years absence with an emphatic ten-goal win over luckless Bradley Reserves.

Lee Walker with six led the way, there was a brace for Mark Loughlin and Matthew Baines but better finishing could have made the margin even greater.