DESPITE a 0-0 draw with West Kirby in midweek, Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves retained top spot in the Carlsberg West Cheshire League's Division One, following Saturday's narrow 2-1 triumph at Helsby.

Tom Ward was on target for the hosts, but it was the Shipbuilders who profited, and stayed five points clear of the chasing pack, thanks to replies from Josh Dures and Ben Holmes.

Nearest rivals, Mossley Hill Athletic, stayed in the mix, after a solitary effort from Mike Fearneyhough clinched maximum spoils, from Friday's tussle with newly promoted Capenhurst Villa.

Ben Purdue's goal was enough, as Southport Trinity overcame Chester Nomads, while Hale kick started their challenge, when James Ormesher and Brad Williams obliged in a 2-1 result at Upton AA.

Chris Melia netted Upton's consolation. In an amazing contest at Newton, visitors, Mallaby, turned a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead with a minute remaining, inspired by a Connor Swaile hat trick, before the home side rescued a point after Ross McDowell struck twice in the dying stages.

Reigning champions, Maghull, showed signs of a return to form, after they romped home 7-0 against Blacon YC.

A hat trick from Mike Cummins, supplemented by further efforts from Andy Murphy (2), Dan Duffy and Jay Hooper confirmed the result.

Division Two leaders, Rainhill Town, stayed unbeaten, and safeguarded their two point lead at the top, despite a 3-3 stalemate with Richmond Mags.

Second placed Heswall were indebted to a Tommy Carroll effort, for a crucial victory over Marshalls, while fourth placed Gateacre Vllage stayed in contention, following a 2-2 draw with Ashville Res.

A brace of penalties was Gateacre's contribution. John Pomfret followed suit with two for the Wallasey outfit.

Respective marksmen in Vauxhall Motors Res.' 2-2 nail biter with Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves were Danny Norris, Benali Elhafsi-Mouheb, Jake Whittaker and Brinsley Bailey.

Elsewhere, Stuart Cornfoot and Phil McDermott made the score sheet as Hale Res. eclipsed Willaston 2-1.

In Division Three, South Liverpool Reserves retained pole position, when Tom Kinsella netted in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Capenhurst Villa Res, Graeme Hughes was on the mark for Cape, while Terry Naylor and John Humphreys hit the target, as second placed Kirkby Town Railway won 2-1 at Everton PLH.

Three-goal hero, Connor Lewis was the star man as Ford Motors savoured a 4-1 result over Neston Nomads.

Goals from Mike Ordish, Jamie Rainford, Dan Hart and Joel Redmond anchored Belfry to a 4-1 triumph at Chester Nomads Res, while Chris Ashcroft, Andy Henry and Dale Higham scored in Upton AA's 3-0 victory at Marshalls Res.

Saturday's Youth Division action saw Rhys Hardacre crack both goals, as second placed Custys accounted for West Kirby 2-1.

Jack Atkinson scored for Hale Youth but it was South Liverpool Youth who went home with the points, after replies from Alex Griffiths, Dave Mee, Alex Welsh and Jamie Clare set up a 4-1 victory.

The local derby between Ellesmere Port Town and Vauxhall Motors Youth was settled 3-2 in the Motormen's favour, courtesy of a goal apiece from Joe Cook, Kazim Tektas and Robby Hicks.