A SOLITARY effort from Danny Dixon proved crucial as Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves accounted for battling Upton AA and stayed within striking distance of current unbeaten League Division One pacesetters, South Liverpool.

The third-placed Shipbuilders currently trail the leaders by seven points but have two games in hand, in what is shaping up to be a two-horse race for the title.

Points in the bag is often the better scenario however, and South kept up the pressure, when they recorded their fourteenth win of the season, after two-goal Alex Woodcock and Gary Dunning struck in a fine 3-0 result at local rivals, Mossley Hill Athletic.

Second-placed Helsby had Gaz Gerrard on the mark, but forfeited ground, after Chester Nomads replied via Mike Jeffs.

Vauxhall Motors slipped into overdrive at Southport Trinity, and celebrated a 5-0 victory, courtesy of efforts from Mark Noakes (2), John Atkinson, Lee McTigue and Kynan Mason, while Maghull savoured an identical winning margin at Blacon YC. Mike Cummins (2), Ben Sumner, Mike Boyle and James Steel were the hot shots.

Elsewhere honours were shared, after a goal from Ashville's Wes Hines was nullified by a response from Hale's Ian McBride.

In Division Two, Ashville's second string scored via Peter Brown, but were humbled 6-1 by third placed promotion chasers, Richmond MAGS.

Colifa Kamara (2), Domo Gilchrist, Anthony Lee, Danny Powell and Richie King found the net for the hosts.

A four-goal blast from Mark Madden was supplemented by a smart double from McCauley Lawrenson, as Maghull Reserves romped home 6-2 against Mossley Hill Athletic Res.

Doubles from Dale Hodge and Lucas Porquet anchored Marshalls to a 5-1 triumph over Bebington Athletic and a brace from Yunis Giwa helped Prescot Cables Reserves to a 3-0 win against Willaston.

Saturday's Division Three action saw leaders Kirby Town Railway chug to a 3-0 result over promtion rivals, FC Sthelens, courtesy of goal apiece from John Humphreys John Morgan and Dean Kenny.

Bootle Res.' 6-0 eclipse of Mersey Royal was confirmed by goals from Jackson Ellis (3), John Prescott and Baba Conteh while two-goal Steve Millington stole the show as Upton AA Res beat Heswall Res 2-1.

Second placed South Liverpool Res were indebted to efforts from Mitch McNally, Ryan McMahon and an own goal, for a 3-1 win against Marshalls Res. which kept them within three points of the leaders.

Two-goal Anthony Lyons was joined on the score sheet by Danny Tree as Ford Motors overcame Chester Nomads Res 3-0.

Cameron Challenor (2) and Josh Jessop scored for Litherland REMYCA Youth but finished on the losing side after Youth Division leaders, South Liverpool Youth emerged 5-3 victors, when they rallied through Dave Mee (2), Ben Dickson, Alex Griffiths and Alex Walsh.

Nearest rivals Maghull Youth stayed in the title equation, after they blitzed Newton Youth 7-1, thanks to goals from Alex Higham (3), Aiden O'Toole, Dave Daley, Kieran Turner and Jamie Burgess.

Alessandro Maletta, Tim Ashcroft, Ben Bigg, Kal Jones and Mat Harland-Jones were on target in Chester Nomads Youth's 5-1 decision over Custys while Tommy Johnstone and Wes Richardson netted West Kirby Youth's contribution in their team's 2-1 victory over Belfry Youth.