A thrilling game at Albert Terrace saw the hosts restrict Cleckheaton to 159-8 before being bowled out for 144, while East Bierley's five-wicket defeat by visitors Pudsey Congs means Woodlands lead by just 10 points from Congs with seven games to go.
Cleckheaton, who beat Woodlands at Moorend in May, recovered from a poor start of 15-2 as Ian Nicholson (20) and Mohammed Zaman (21) got them back on track.
Craig Thornton and John Wood then shared a crucial stand of 46 for the sixth wicket before top scorer Wood (37) was bowled.
Thornton though remained defiant and steered Cleckheaton to the close with an unbeaten 36. Chris Brice finished with 3-52 and Sarfraz Ahmed 2-33 in 15 overs while there was a wicket each for Pieter Swanepoel, Richard Spittlehouse and Tosh Baker.
Woodlands' victory hopes were dealt a crushing blow as Iain Wardlaw (3-21) and Craig Wiseman (1-26) ripped out their top order to leave the hosts 29-4.
Tim Orrell and Adam Goldthorpe steadied matters with a fine stand of 77 before top scorer Orrell (48) was dismissed by Zaman.
Goldthorpe (40) followed soon after as fellow spinner Tom Pringle struck and the final five wickets fell of just 26 as Woodlands were 144 all out in the 49th over.
Zaman finished with a fine haul of 3-24 while Pringle took 3-23 to see Cleckheaton fifth and keep their title ambitions alive.
Succumbed
Third-placed Bierley missed the chance to capitalise as they succumbed to Congs at South View Road.
Spin was again to the fore as Jeremy Batty and Glenn Roberts both took 4-36 to see Bierley bowled out for 161. Andrew Rennison (15) and Greg Wood (54) put on 67 for the third wicket but the hosts were unable to push on.
Chris Elstub added a late flourish with 22 as Mohammed Naved finished with 2-15 in 10 overs.
Paul Hutchison (3-40) gave Bierley early hope, reducing Congs to 27-2, before Barbar Butt produced a dominant innings of 67, hitting 12 fours and a six.
Andrew Bairstow added a valuable 47 and despite a wcket each for Elstub and Kez Ahmed Congs eased to 162-5 in their 38th over.
Baildon remain fourth after a nine-wicket defeat by lowly Saltaire while fellow strugglers Bowling Old Lane, Yeadon and Esholt also picked up welcome victories.