RICHMOND Raith Rovers upped the ante in the race for the Carlsberg West Cheshire League's Division Two title, inspired by a virtuoso performance from man of the match Jay McDonald.

Super Mac stole the show with a five-goal haul and anchored Jimmy Woods' charges to a 6-0 result at Southport Trinity, which eroded Hale Reserves' lead at the top to 10 points, with six games in hand.

The leaders capitulated 2-0, thanks to efforts from South Liverpool Reserves Andy Lloyd and Neil Roach.

Second-placed Redgate Rovers followed up their 5-1 midweek rout of Gateacre Village, with a 4-1 decision over Marshalls, confirmed by goals from Rob McDonald (2) Craig Blackwell and Paul Chamberlain.

Fourth-placed challengers, Neston Nomads, maintained interest when Dean Jones, Jack Rowlands and Craig Diable obliged in a fine 3-0 victory at Maghull Reserves.

At Marine Park, West Kirby & Wasps Reserves saw their chances of staying up boosted after they beat Gateacre Village 5-2 with goals from Jimmy Cross (3) and an Adam Threlfall double.

Ralphie Ainscough (2), Mike Langley and Richie Murray struck for Vauxhall Motors Reserves who won 4-1 and completed a league double over Prescot Cables Reserves.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and such was the case after South Liverpool's striker and captain Cam Dalton hauled his side off the canvas with a superb hat-trick as the Division One title favourites turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 derby triumph at Mossley Hill Athletic.

Earlier in the game, the hosts were in the driving seat after goals from Neil McCarthy and Yusuf Malik had given them a dream start.

Jay Hoopper plundered the game's only goal as second-placed Maghull took maximum spoils from their trip to Vauxhall Motors and that result enabled Chester Nomads to return to top spot courtesy of a 2-0 eclipse of bottom club Helsby.

Louis Moss and Steve Kane were the marksmen while Mike McGraa lay claim to both goals as West Kirby & Wasps triumphed 2-0 at Hale.

Elsewhere, Jack Webb gave a youthful Mallaby the lead against Capenhurst Villa but the visitors turned the tables and emerged 3-1 victors with Lewis Walters, Matty Hall and Phil Quillam on target.

Division Three leaders Heswall Reserves stemmed the challenge of third-placed Ford Motors after efforts from Luke Blondel (2), Andy Kingan and James Manifold clinched a 4-2 win, but second-placed Bootle Reserves stayed very much in the hunt after they won 4-2 in midweek against Helsby Reserves and remain seven points adrift of the leaders with six games in hand.

Ryan Youds and Dean Thomas scored a goal apiece as promotion outsiders Mersey Royal continued on the up with a 2-1 verdict over Rainhill Town Reserves.

Top scorers on the day were Redgate Rovers Reserves, who enjoyed a 7-2 victory over Ashville Reserves highlighted by a Dan Antrobus hat- trick.

Ben Hodkinson, Sam Holcroft, Matty Price and Andrew Ravenscroft shared the rest of the goals.

Michele Apolionio and Sandrew Maletta found the net as Chester Nomads Reserves celebrat - ed a 2-0 triumph over Marshalls Reserves.