DIVISION Two leaders Deers Leap gave boss Gerry Ellis an early Christmas present when they signed off for the festive period with a 4-1 win at Penhill United.

Deers made the most of a fixtureless weekend for second-placed KC Globe and now boast a six-point advantage at the summit.

A Nathan Gambling penalty put the visitors ahead at the break and they upped their game in the second half as new recruit Bradley Stanners doubled the lead before Gambling got his second.

Penhill then had a man sent off, allowing Deers’ youngster Lewis Waldon to add further gloss to the scoreline, and the hosts only claimed a consolation via a late penalty.

“It was a tighter game than the scoreline suggests,” Ellis said. “At 3-0 they started to make a few chances for themselves but the red card sucked the wind out of them a bit.

“I’m delighted with the win and although we’d like to keep going, we know we’ve got this break now. Things are looking good at the moment.”

Nationwide Pavilion triumphed in the only other game in the division, beating bottom side The Windmill 8-2 away from home.

Table toppers Greyhound won 3-1 at AFC Gas in the sole Division 1 fixture.

In Division Three, Eldene were beaten 6-3 by leaders Cleeve Tech. Rodbourne Real were equally impressive in front of goal, seeing off Rudis 6-0, and there was a 4-2 success for Tawny Owl over G Power Solutions.

Chiseldon Sunday put in the most impressive performance in Division Four - a 5-1 victory at home to Penhill Moonrakers. DH Fitness defeated Smart Movers 4-2.

Division Five bottom side Rug Shack were crushed 6-1 when they hosted Coleshill Youth, while Gorsehill Borough were 4-2 winners at PSV Swindon.

Leaders FC Abbey Meads suffered a shock 4-2 loss at home to AFC Royal in Division Six. That allowed Croft Junior to close the gap at the top with a 5-3 defeat of Rosier Rovers.

Cricklade Park Rangers won 3-1 at County Ground, Swindon Athletic were beaten 3-2 by Save on Tyres Athletic, and Willowgreen Hotspur beat Northern Lights 3-0.