ECKINGTON continued their march back towards the Premier League with an eighth Division One win in nine matches.
But the battle behind them is hotting up after Duffield got themselves back in the mix and Elvaston slipped up at home to Ilkeston Rutland.
Quarndon moved into the second promotion place as they took maximum points at home to Clifton.
Clifton's decision to bat first backfired as they were bowled out for 151, in which Faisal Khan scored 52.
Nathan Dumelow, who had taken four wickets, followed up with 44 as Quarndon got home by three wickets, despite four wickets for Khan.
Elvaston would have fancied their chances of consolidating their second place at home to Ilkeston but their 207 all out, achieved only after Simon Lillie's late 32 not out added to Matt Gawthrop's early 70, was not enough to beat Ilkeston, who went past the target with five wickets down and four balls to spare.
Staveley Welfare chose to bat first at Eckington but only Joe Bullimore's 63 held up the leaders as the visitors were bowled out for 149.
Andy Firth and Andy Lee hit fifties as Eckington eased to an eight-wicket win in 32.5 overs and their lead is now 44 points.
Derbyshire physio and former wicketkeeper James Pipe hit 58 for Duffield as they made 194 all out at home to Sawley & Long Eaton Park, who were bowled out for 162.
Opening bowlers Joe Wozniczka-Wells and Luke Webb did all the damage, with Wozniczka-Wells taking 6-37 and Wells 3-30.
Opener Richard Lawton stood firm on 96 not out forSawley – but no-one else reached double figures.
Stainsby Hall are enduring a difficult season and they were thrashed at Matlock, who batted first and put up 224-7, captain Kevin Leatherday top-scoring with 56.
Stainsby's reply collapsed to 20-5 and they were shot out for 61.
Cutthorpe are blowing hot and cold this season and endured one of their "cold" days as Rolleston whipped them out for 102 in 26 overs.
Rolleston knocked those off with only one wicket down in 22 overs, with Gareth Marshall on 39 not out.
Division Two leaders Alrewas kept the chasing back at bay with maximum points against West Hallam, passing a target of 214-9 with five wickets down.
Ambergate, eight points behind them, also took maximum points, blowing Aston-on-Trent away for 64 after scoring 192-9.
Josh Nicholas was their star man, scoring 55 and taking five wickets.
