RAINHILL Town opened up a six-point gap at the top of the West Cheshire League's Division One following a hard fought 2-1 result over Vauxhall Motors Reserves.

Efforts from Stephen Melville and Alex McMillan saw Town over the line with Tom Davies bagging the Motormen's consolation.

Nearest rivals, Maghull, had Marcus Stewart on the mark, but capitulated 2-1 to a smart double from Marshalls' Sam Scarth, and it was a second defeat in succession for strongly-fancied Newton, who were on the receiving end at Richmond Raith Rovers, doubles from Paul Gouthwaite and Jonathan Parkinson anchoring the hosts to a 4-2 success.

James Clare, Sam Humt and Ricci Neill applied the finishing touches as Ashville accounted for Neston Nomads 3-2, while honours were shared, after an effort from Hale's Jimmy Eaves was negated by a reply from Upton AA's Will Kent.

Cam Dalton struck twice and was joined on the scoresheet by James Thomas and Sharif Yusuf as South Liverpool beat bottom club, West Kirby 4-1, and it was celebration time for Redgate Rovers who posted a 1-0 result at Ellesmere Port Town courtesy of a goal from Jacob Jones.

It was the same outcome at Chester Nomads, where a goal from Dave Baird saw visitors, Mossley Hill Ath take maximum spoils.

Division Two pacesetters Capenhurst Villa stayed two points in credit at the top after Connor Ryan, Danny Page, Charlie Bell, Corey Beavan and Liam Wall netted in Saturday's 5-2 victory at Litherland Remyca Dev.

Second-placed Heswall were indebted to goals from Joe Ford (2) Chris Lewis and Scott Connolly, which edged a 4-3 verdict over South Liverpool Res, while third-placed Page Celtic overcame a 1-0 deficit against Mallaby and emerged 3-1 victors thanks to efforts from Dean Shacklock, Andy Holding and Paul Inman.

Two-goal Adam Yazici took the plaudits as Cheshire Lines won 2-0 at West Kirby Res and Jordan Holmes followed suit with a double as Maghull Res eclipsed Wirral SB 3-1.

In Division Three, leaders Aintree Villa toasted a Josh Cavanagh hat trick which helped his side to a 3-0 result over Chester Nomads Res, but second-placed South Sefton Borough Res remained on level points after they won 2-1 at Wirral SB Res, highlighted by a Liam Van Gelder double.

Sean Andrews bagged both goals for Mersey Royal, but John Pomphrett scored twice as Poulton Royal secured a point.

Despite a goal from Johnny Fell, Redgate Rovers Res came up short against Burscough Dynamo who hit back via Ryan Dobney, Jay Pretten and Ross Turpin to seal a 3-1 triumph.

Neston Nomads Res found the net through Joel Hall, Ben Pearson and Dave Adams in a 3-1 victory over Ellesmere Port Town Res.

Lower Breck U17 sustained their outside challenge for the Youth Division title after they romped home 7-0 against Bootle Accademy thanks to efforts from Bobby Walsh (3), Louis White, Fin Sherlock, Ben Wynne and Kurt McDonald.

Goals from Ryan Jones (2), Zak Phillips and Jack Darlington were enough as West Kirby U18 overcame Maghull U18 4-2.

Following a 2-2 stalemate, Bootle won 5-4 on pens against Marshalls U18 in the Liverpool County FA Youth Cup and Litherland Remyca U18 also progressed after they beat Redgate Rovers Youth 9-1 with goals from Peter Silcock (4), Sean Walker (3) and Chris Walker (2).