Liam Gray, back from injury for only his second match of the campaign, spurned an early chance when a cross field pass split the defence and left him in space and then Jared McGivern shot wide.

Ben Lazenby then shot home from close range in the 11th minute after a move down the left side.

Jason Bradley shot wide for Beeston, before a second McGivern effort plus a free kick from Dave Thomas were both off the target.

Thomas was given an early chance to redeem himself when Knaresborough were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute after McGivern was tripped. Thomas duly obliged to make it 2-0 and then hit home a second spot kick five minutes later after goalkeeper Karl Codd felled McGivern.

Beeston pulled one back after 31 minutes when Sean Jeavons looked to have taken the ball over the goal line before crossing for Lee Parker to fire home.

Two minutes later, Beeston made it 3-2 with the third penalty of the half as Lazenby fouled in the box and Jeavons shot home.

Another Thomas free kick was too high just before the break, but his centre from the right two minutes into the second period found Liam Gray who headed home to make it 4-2.

Another defensive lapse on the Beeston right saw a cross to the far post for Parker to make it 4-3 in the 49th minute to emphasise the narrow gap between the two sides.

Gray was wide again and Jim Bradley’s volley was saved before Gray was substituted in the 63rd minute of his return.

His replacement, Matt Duerden, also returning from injury, ran forward to join the play as Thomas prepared to take a corner on the left.

The swinging kick was inch perfect and Duerden’s diving header found the net to make it 5-3.

Gary Edmunds headed over another corner and then had to be alert to clear from his own line from Parker’s effort.

Codd then had to make a point-blank save to deny Chris Hastings after great work from Bradley.

In injury time, Jeavons’ shot was deflected over and then he headed over from a corner before even later efforts from Hastings and Fraser Lancaster were both cleared as ‘Boro’ pressed for greater reward.

Meanwhile, Knaresborough Town reserves had a comfortable 4-0 victory when they took on Kippax Athletic reserves.

Three goals in the space of three minutes effectively sealed the points before the half hour mark with Joel Freestone adding two to his season’s tally after 28 and 29 minutes and then seeing Rob Thackwray add the third a minute later.

Freestone completed his second hat-trick of the season in the 50th minute.

Tomorrow, Knaresborough visit Ripon City Magnets whilst the reserves take on Rothwell Athletic reserves at Manse Lane.

Both games kick off at 2.30pm.