ON a weather affected weekend, which saw the League's programme reduced to just seven fixtures, it was a good day for long-suffering Ashville whose bid to avoid relegation from Division One gathered momentum, following an encouraging 2-1 result at fifth-placed Mossley Hill Athletic.

The Wallasey outfit has been holding up the rest of the division for most of the season, but Saturday's victory came as a big boost as it eased them away from bottom spot.

Hero of the hour was Ricci Neill, who plundered both goals, as Ashville posted their third win of the season. Luke Wynne netted the hosts' consolation.

New occupants of bottom spot are Blacon YC, despite a battling performance which earned a point at Cairns Crescent against Mallaby.

Jordan Costello put the visitors ahead inside the first two minutes before replies from Josh Kier and Alex Moore saw Blacon take the lead. A 68th minute equaliser from John Hedges ensured a share of the spoils.

Talismatic skipper, Cameron Dalton, bagged the game's only goal, as unbeaten leaders, South Liverpool, emerged victors at reigning champions, Maghull and increased their advantage at the top to ten points.

Despite efforts from Liam Brooks and Jack McDowell, Newton's title charge faltered following a 4-2 defeat at Southport Trinity, who sealed the issue, thanks to goals from Tommy Hughes, Ian Pritchard, Martin Wilson and Luke McCousland.

In Division Two, the only game to beat the weather, took place between Prescot Cables Res. and Mossley Hill Ath, in a game where Lee Owens and Binsley Bailey were the respective marksmen in a 1-1 stalemate.

A Mark Noakes strike was enough for Vauxhall Motors Reserves, who profited at Ashville Res. in midweek.

Again a single fixture survived in division three, and it was a significant result as South Liverpool Res. went level on points with current leaders, Kirkby Town Railway, after goals from Adam Shelton and Ryan Cullum anchored them to a 2-0 win over Chester Nomads Res.

Nomads Youth were also on the receiving end in their Youth Division clash at Vauxhall Youth , who won 3-0, inspired by a sparkling double from Kazim Tehtas.

A further effort from Sam Krimou completed the statistics.