THE League is guaranteed representation in this year's Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup final after division two minnows, Neston Nomads, defied the odds and posted a 2-1 result over Cheshire Association League Premier Division outfit Poynton.

The closely-fought semi-final took place in midweek at Sandbach Utd and it was Nomads who took the lead on 40 minutes through Adam Rassell.

Poynton equalised, via the penalty spot, before Luke Blondell’s 90th-minute winner secured Nomads' passage to the final.

Victory over Linotype-Cheadle H-N in the other semi will see holders and Division Two rivals, Ashville, make it an all West Cheshire final.

Heswall are a step nearer to lifting the Pyke Cup they last won in 1997, after efforts from Gary O’Toole, Greg Drummond and Chris Lea clinched a fine 3-1 win over Richmond Raith Rovers who had Jamie McDonald in reply.

In the Development Trophy clash at the Wirral Tennis Centre, Maghull Town Youth and Cammell Laird 1907 DVLPMNT fought out a 2-2 stalemate, Laird’s winning the tie 3-1 on penalties.

A superb hat-trick from Tom McNamara sent Mossley Hill Athletic back to the top of Division One at the expense of previous leaders, Rainhill Town.

Despite a Vinny O’Toole double and an opportunist effort from Steve Mills, Mallaby gave it their best shot against title favourites Newton, but a Jamie Murray hat-trick, allied to further goals from Gerard King, Dom Coddington and Danny Brooks inspired the visitors to a 6-3 triumph.

West Kirby's battle to stave off relegation received a timely boost when a Jordan Griffiths double anchored them to a priceless 2-1 win against Chester Nomads, while respective scorers in Capenhurst Villa's 1-1 nail-biter with Maghull, were Ryan Nicoll and Wayne Smith.

Division Two leaders, Ashville, followed up a 4-1 midweek win against Southport Trinity by beating South Liverpool Reserves 3-0, with goals from Sam Hunt, Danny Dixon and Sean Partington.

That result kept the Wallasey side a point clear of nearest rivals, Marshalls who were indebted to a Wade Maxwell penalty which gleaned all three points from their trip to Neston Nomads.

Division three title challengers Ellesmere Port Town were brought back to earth with a bump after they capitulated 4-0 to goals from Redgate Rovers Res’ Mike Girvan, Sam Blackhurst, Mark Hubbert and Alex Holden.

That result enabled current leaders, Rainhill Town Res. to open up a three point lead despite drawing 2-2 with Upton AA Res.

Efforts from Rainhill’s Nathan Clements and Luke Garvey were cancelled out by replies from Upton’s Josh Clayton and Sam Spidgeon.

Third-placed Capenhurst Villa Res had Danny Paige on target but went down 3-1 at Liverpool Remyca Res, Mark Barnes (2) and Karl Berquist obliging for the hosts, while Upton AA Res savoured back to back wins, after Joe Desmoreaux and an own goal helped them to a 2-1 verdict over Ashville Res.

Leon Jones netted the visitors’ consolation.