IN the race for promotion from the Carlsberg West Cheshire League's Divisioin Three, Mersey Royal drew level on points with current leaders Litherland Remyca Reserves, following Saturday's 9-3 victory at Cheshire Lines Res.

A Liam Driscoll hat-trick was supplemented by doubles from Adam Smith, Andy Rogers and James Ludbrook, as Glyn Norman's charges celebrated their 14th win of the season and with three left to play, must rate their chances of going up.

Leon Williams and Connor Porteous replied for the hosts.

Another hat-trick hero was Dave Lynch, who left his calling card as Maghull Res eclipsed luckless Willaston 6-2 in Division Two.

Further efforts from Liam Vogel, Farshad Parvas and Mick McGinn completed the statistics, while Matty Murphy and Karl Dobbs struck for the visitors.

Ellesmere Port Town's hopes of achieving promotion to the top flight at the first time of asking were interrupted, when they finished 0-0 with South Wirral rivals, Capenhurst Villa, despite beating Willaston 3-1 in midweek.

Josh Odukumaya found the net for Prescot Cables Res, but still finished on the losing side against Mossley Hill Ath Res, who posted a 3-1 result courtesy of replies from Sam Gainer, Mike Thomas and Neil McCarthy.

After going close on a number of occasions in recent weeks, Mallaby got it right in their midweek Division One clash with Heswall, when a sparkling double from Ben Glover and a Sam Byrne effort clinched a deserved 3-1 success.

Heswall atoned themselves at the weekend however, following a hard fought 4-3 victory at high flying Mossley Hill Ath.

The visitors were indebted to strikes from Peter Charles, Andy Kngan, Chris Lea and an own goal with Tom McNamara (2) and Ollie Sanderson in reply for the home side.

Jimmy Cross and Dave Hird netted for West Kirby who ground out a 2-1 decision over Neston Nomads who hit back via Luke Blondel.

Honours were shared after efforts from Richmond Raith Rovers' Anthony Lipson (2) and Paul Gouthwaite were negated by replies from Maghull's Brad Smart (2) and Elliot Toner.

In midweek, Smart bagged the game's only goal as Maghull beat title favourites South Liverpool.

There was no stopping young Ryan Beigan, who fired a four goal salvo as Newton overcame Chester Nomads 5-2.

Dom Coddington was the other marksman while Jordan Davies claimed both goals for Nomads.

Jesse Daniels was another two-goal star but failed to prevent Marshalls from going down 3-2 at Rainhill Town who secured the points thanks to goals from Colm Lynch (2) and Ashley Elliot.

Congratulations to West Cheshire League flag bearers, Vauxhall Motors, who progressed to the Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup final, after beating Manchester League conterparts, Dukinfield Town 3-0.

Two-goal Joe Brandon was joined on the scoresheet by Jason Carey.