CHESHIRE FA Amateur Cup holders Ashville secured their passage to this season's semi-finals but had to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory in their tussle with rival Carlsberg West Cheshire League outfit Chester Nomads.

Efforts from brothers Jack and Dan Delgado had put the Division One side in the ascendancy, but their Division Two counterparts had other ideas, and after replies from Jake Prescott and James Clare had restored parity, a Sam Hunt decider capped a remarkable turn around.

Ashville will now face Linotype CHN in the last four, where they are joined by another Division Two side, Neston Nomads, who tackle Poynton in the semis, after goals from Dean Jones and Luke Blondel clinched a 2-1 quarter final success at Mellor.

On the domestic scene, in the most wide open Division One title chase seen in years, current leaders, Rainhill Town, had Dave Monteith on target, but suffered their sixth defeat of the season, when reigning champions, South Liverpool, posted a 3-1 win, courtesy of efforts from Aaron Bowen (2) and Gary Pollard.

As a result, nearest challengers, Mossley Hill Athletic eroded the leaders' advantage to a single point, after they triumphed 2-1 at fifth-placed Newton.

Uchie Ikiekwe and Tom McNamara obliged for the visitors and in another 2-1 finish, the honours went to Richmond Raith Rovers, who won the day against Heswall, Jamie McDonald bagging both goals.

Mallaby led 2-0 at Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves, Timmy Bigland and Vinnie O’Toole finding the net, and although they scored a third via Matty Maguire, it was the hosts who profited 6-3 thanks to goals from Lee Furlong (3), Ryan Beigan (2) and Kieran Hamm.

A smart double from Rob McDonald anchored Redgate Rovers to a fine 2-1 decision over Capenhurst Villa, and Josh Donnelly followed suit, with two for Vauxhall Motors, who savoured a 3-2 victory over West Kirby.

Lee Guiardo and Lewis Dennan applied the finishing touches as Upton AA returned to winning ways, after beating Helsby 2-0.

The leadership changed hands in Division Two, when Marhalls stormed back to the top, after hat tricks from Ryan Cullen and Lucas Porquet inspired them to a 9-2 eclipse of West Kirby Res.

Dave Mee was another three goal star, who shone for South Liverpool Reserves in his side's 5-3 win at Kirkby Town Railway, and Heswall Res' Adam Walker also scored three, in Saturday's 4-0 triumph over Willaston.

John Ashton, Callum Holmes, Cameron McGann, Jack Garriock, Nobby Kelly, Shaun Lancaster and Mike McGowan shared the goals as Mossley Hill Ath, Res romped home 7-1 against Bootle Res.

Shaun Curlett scored Southport Trinity’s consolation in their 2-1 defeat to Vauxhall Motors Res, who had Mike Lacey and Connor Hughes in reply.

Hats off to five-goal Henry Newnes who made a lasting impression as Division Three leaders, Rainhill Town Res, blitzed Cammell Laird 1907 DVLPMNT 9-0 but their result was mirrored by second placed Ellesmere Port Town, who won by the same scoreline at Helsby Res, Josh Lyth weighing in with a four timer.