PAUL Howell was the toast of his teammates after his solitary strike sent Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division Two side Ashville through to the Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup second round.

Their victory came at the expense of Division One title contenders Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves, whose misery was compounded following their midweek 2-1 league defeat by rivals Vauxhall Motors.

Newcomers Ellesmere Port Town also progressed after Tom Cardus and Joe Hayes netted in the 2-1 eclipse of Stoconians, while Willaston celebrated a 7-0 rout of Lymm thanks mainly to a four-goal salvo from Paddy Cunningham.

Division Three minnows Mersey Royal had to return their cup final suits after efforts from Matty Johnson, John Egerton, Reece Conlan and Adam Collins anchored Helsby to a 4-0 result, and despite goals from Mark Head and Greg Dummond, Heswall made their exit after they went down 3-2 at home to Chester visitors Blacon YC.

Rainhill Town set the cat among the pigeons in the race for the Division One title after they humbled current leaders Newton, who shipped five goals for the second time this season.

Lee Guirado struck twice for Upton AA, but it was second-placed Vauxhall Motors who profited after Mark Noakes, Liam Driscoll and an own goal clinched a 3-2 decision for the Motormen, who moved to within a point of the leaders.

A missed penalty five minutes into the game came back to bite Mallaby, who scored via Jordan Costello but lost 2-1 at reigning champions South Liverpool. Cam Dalton and Gary Dunning obliged for the hosts.

Maghull’s fine run of form continued after Jay Hooper (2), Brad Smart and Kieran Turner found the net in Saturday’s 4-0 win at West Kirby and Wasps.

In Division Two, West Kirby's second string faced a worse fate when a seven-goal blast from Dave Makuch inspired Gateacre Village to a 12-3 triumph.

Leaders Richmond Raith Rovers had Jonathan Parkinson on the mark but forfeited their unbeaten record after a John Humphries double helped title favourites Kirby Town Railway to a 2-1 victory.

Dave Mee (2) shone for South Liverpool Reserves in their 4-1 win at Neston Nomads, while Jack Walker claimed the game’s only goal as Hale Reserves accounted for Maghull Reserves.

Vauxhall Motors Reserves beat Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves 2-1.