NELSON FC retained their unbeaten tag in the race for the First division title when beating leaders Poulton Vics with two first-half goals.

The first an excellent individual effort from Ben Dunn and the second was a typical poacher's goal from Callum Morrison leaving them with a two-point gap behind the Vics.

JASGA PV saw their way past Liver View as Stewart Speed fired a double and Adam Walker a single to leave them third on goal difference after this 3-0 victory.

Two late goals for Upton FC from Niall Fagan and Karl Dobbs saw them take the spoils versus PLCCFC, who had led following a goal from Sean Woods, but missed chances proved their downfall.

Two goals from Jack McGowan plus singles from Matty Threlfall and Tom Jeffery earned St Andrew's United the points as they dethroned Queens Liscard in a 4-1 success as Adam Hannigan notched the lone response.

In the second division Halfway House opened up a five-point lead at the top after beating Eastham Rangers Colts 6-3, thanks to a treble from Andy Simpson, a double from Joe Cooper and a single from Joe Skinner.

Second-placed Trident had to settle for a 3-3 draw with Barnston PV as Jason Rigby, Aaron Cairns and Ray Hoey scored, but hitting the replies were Ricardo Royes with a brace and John Albiston with a single in an end to end tussle.

Glenavon Athletic started the new year with a 6-3 victory over Park Royal to lead the Dundee Youth division due to Jack Templeton bagging a hat-trick, Leighton Clarke adding a brace and Oscar Roach completing the six pack.

On target for Royal was Lewis Devoy with a fine double.

Grove Youth division action saw Upton Youth beat close rivals Delta Colts Parkfield 2-1 and are now twelve points clear at the top.

Hitting the goals were Brendan Doherty and Joe McColgan with Joey Robinson grabbing the consolation.

Young Lions had only an own goal to cheer as they lost 4-1 away at ACA Sports, who are second in the division and had Kurt McDonald-2, Simon Grace and Lewis Nolan as their marksmen.

Despite a double strike from Louis Fox and single from Joe Snellgrove AC Hoylake lost a seven-goal thriller 4-3 against Higher Beb JFC who had Josh McKinney-2, Joel Whalley and Mathis Granszdorffer netting their goals.