AFTER Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One leaders Rainhill Town were held to a 2-2 draw by Vauxhall Motors, third-placed Newton upped the ante in the race for the title.

An own goal, supplemented by further efforts from Jay Roberts and Dom Coddington, saw Lee Kissock's charges whittle the leaders' advantage to five points with three games in hand.

Maghull were on the receiving end for the second week, and this time it was Heswall who turned the screw – Andy Kingan (2), Aiden Cooper and Jack Horrocks obliging in Saturday’s 4-0 victory at Gayton Park.

Despite a goal from Ben Smith, Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves were second best against Mossley Hill Athletic who celebrated a 5-1 decision inspired by a hat-trick from Tom McNamara.

A blistering drive from Carl Griffiths was scant reward for Mallaby who went down 7-1 at Chester Nomads.

Brothers Ed and Louis Moss were joined on the scoresheet by Joe Imlach (2), Jack McGovern (2) and Dan Lloyd as the hosts secured their third win of the season.

Lee Ludgate struck for Capenhurst Villa but a late equaliser from Peter McShane ensured that reigning champions South Liverpool went home with a share of the spoils.

In another game which finished all square, efforts from Redgate Rovers’ Rob McDonald, Charlie Gallagher and Sam Corlett were negated by replies from Upton AA’s Alan Dorrian (2) and Luke Finch.

Division Two leaders Marshalls were indebted to goals from Lucas Porquet and Ali Asgari for their 2-1 win at Bootle Reserves while second-placed Prescot Cables Reserves scored through Connor Bowen and Josh Donnelly before coming unstuck at Ashville, who claimed a 3-2 triumph courtesy of replies from Perrie Black, Wes Hynes and Jake Prescot.

A hat-trick from Mick Lacey anchored Kirkby Town Railway to a 6-0 rout of Neston Nomads, and in another goal-packed encounter Squeak Clarkson scored five times as Willaston emerged 8-6 victors at Southport Trinity.

Doubles from Chuck Murphy and Francis Evans helped South Liverpool Reserves to a 5-1 win at Mossley Hill Reserves while respective scorers in Hale’s 1-1 nail biter with Heswall Reserves were Jimmy Eves and Matty Beaman.

Ellesmere Port Town retained pole position in Division Three on goal difference, and consolidated their position on Saturday, after two goal heroes, Rhys Sharrock and Jordan Fulton, played their part in the 7-0 victory over Mersey Royal.

Nearest rivals Capenhurst Villa forfeited ground after they were held 1-1 at Rainhill Town and that enabled Cheshire Lines to close ground, as a result of their 5-2 win against Redgate Rovers Reserves.

Nathan Midghall (2), Dave Murgatroyd (2) and Johnny Dunn scored the goals. Efforts from Jordan Haskell and Evan Morris were good enough, as City Of Liverpool Reserves beat Chester Nomads Reserves 2-0, and savoured their first win of the season.

John Pomfrett’s four-goal blast set Ashville Reserves up for a 6-1 result at Litherland Remyca while Suphot Thiamdong and Stuart Jones netted as Cammell Laird 1907 DVLPMNT won 2-1 against Helsby.