Following their important win over Thirsk seven days’ previous Phil Ambler’s troops made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 triumph at home to Bramham.

With George Peirse’s side slipping to another defeat away at bogey side Kirk Deighton the door was left open for Kirkby to jump to the summit.

Now they’ll be looking to cement their leading position tomorrow, away at none other than Bramham.

Pickard was understandably delighted with his side and only hopes they continue to flourish in the second half of the season.

“We’re all really pleased at the moment,” he said.

“With Thirsk losing we had the chance to go top and we took it, we just hope we can stay there now. It was a good result against Bramham, they were up there challenging with us.

“It was only 2-1 though. It wasn’t the best performance by us but that’s the sign of a good side I suppose.”

On Saturday Paul Pollard created the first goal after he was scythed down on the edge of the area with a Bramham player shown a yellow card.

Goal-machine Kyle Baldwin stepped up to the plate and smashed in a cracking free-kick to give Kirkby the lead after five minutes.

Kirkby then extended their lead before the break when Baldwin whipped in a delicious ball into the box for Ashley Atkinson to flick over the advancing ‘keeper and into the back of the net for a 2-0 half-time lead.

After the break Kirkby continued to knock on the door with Simon Pickard coming close with a thunderous drive. However it was the away side who scored next to make a game of it through Jason Wright.

But it proved to be purely a consolation goal as Kirkby held on for all three points. Pollard was named man-of-the-match.

KIRKBY 2nds are also top of their league. They beat Pool A in Division Two on Saturday thanks to goals by Gavin Jones and Tim Maynard. Keith Tupling was named man-of-the-match.

KIRKBY 3rds’ game was called off due to a frozen pitch.