LAST term's runners-up, Mossley Hill Athletic, cranked up the pressure in the race for the Carlsberg West Cheshire League's Division One title and moved to within four points of current leaders Neston Nomads with five games in hand.

Hero of the hour, was ace marksman, Tom McNamara, who plundered the game's only goal in Saturday's hard fought victory over Chester Nomads.

For third-placed Mossley, it was their tenth win of the season, and with local rivals, South Liverpool, and South Wirral challengers, Vauxhall Motors, still very much in the equation, the outcome of this season's championship is far from decided.

In another single goal result, sixth-placed reigning champions Newton had most of the play at Redgate Rovers, but it was the hosts who profited thanks to a soliatry strike from Robbie McDonald.

Provided they can turn their games in hand into points, Ashville can still make the shake-up.

But they suffered a temporary blip at Richmond Raith Rovers who secured a 3-0 decision, inspired by two goal hit-man, Jonathan Parkinson.

A further effort from Mike Wynne completed the scoring.

Hale increased their advantage at the top of Division Two to nine points, when they came out on top against Maghull Res.

Colin Mee netted in a 1-0 triumph.

Honours were shared following a 0-0 stalemate between Prescot Cables Res and Ashville Res, but goals were the order of the day at Capenhurst Villa, who romped home 6-1 against Mossley Hill Ath Res.

Sean Waver was a three-goal star who was joined on the scoresheet by Lee Ludgate, Danny Page and Nick Monaghan.

The visitors replied via Sam Gainer.

Division Three promotion challengers Page Celtic assumed pole position on goal difference from Litherland Remyca Res when a three-goal salvo from Matty Quinn anchored them to a 7-2 win at Redgate Rovers Res.

Ryan Morgan (2), Steve Daley and Dave Moore were also on the mark with Sam Crane and Sam Delmonte in reply for Rovers.

Glyn Norman's Mesey Royal are three points adrift of the leading pair but stayed in contention after Adam Smith (2), Liam Driscoll, Leon Detlaff, Andy Rogers and Ryan Coles obliged in the 6-2 eclipse of Cheshire Lines Res. who hit back through Karl Brown (2).

Another high scoring encounter saw Poulton Royal, with goals from Lee Davey (2), Anthony Corser, Craig Palliser, Ashley Dermody, Jay Thompson and Luke Street overcome Neston Nomads Res 7-2.

Cameron Meadows and Jay Roberts scored Nomads' consolations.

Elsewhere, a Scott Evans effort failed to prevent Chester Nomads Res. from going down 3-1 at home to Marshalls Res.

Only one fixture escaped the weather in the Youth Division and it was celebration time for second-placed Vauxhall Motors Youth, who had Ellis Byrne (2), Dylan Jeffrey, Nathan Johnston and Harry Taylor on target in the 5-1 success at Bottle Youth who replied through Joe Cunningham.