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.

Man of the match Joe Slater struck twice and David Rhodes and Simon Harris once each but Broomhill went down 8-4 to deny them a last-eight tie at home to Settle United.

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 appealing 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.

Silsden Whitestar won 5-1 at home to Bradley in Division One 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.

Ryan Stubbs, making his full return after injury, was another to net a treble as he inspired Ingrow & Worth Valley to a 6-2 home win over Bingley Town.

Chris Wheater, the promoted Josh Yeadon and man of the match Liam Bellamy were also on target at Holy Family, the hosts being inspired after a Town player dubbed the Steampigs the division’s 'whipping boys' before Christmas.

Arnie Raistrick gave Bingley hope at 3-1 and Kyle Richmond's goal, which went in off the back of keeper Wayne Mahomet, made it 4-2.

Valley's man of the match award from Bingley went to Chris Wheater, while the referee’s award went to Bellamy.

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.

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.

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.