MSC Express West Cheshire League Division One leaders Ashville, inspired by two-goal midfield maestro, Gary Jones, pulled the mat from under unbeaten title rivals, Bootle St Edmunds in midweek with Tom Davies and Tommy Johnstone also on target in a deserved 4-2 victory.

Despite a goal from Dan Hardman however, the Wallasey outfit then forfeited two crucial points on Saturday following a 1-1 draw at Maghull.

In another stalemate, a goal from Capenhurst Villa's Jamie Easton was negated by a response from Newton's Leighton Smith while Ellesmere Port Town, with efforts from Sam Henry (2) and Mike Flavell, bolstered their chances of survival following an excellent 3-1 result at fellow relegation candidates, Aintree Villa.

A goal from Danny Flood wasn't enough, as Prescot Cables Res, capitulated 3-1 to replies from Mossley Hill Athletic's Owen Cassidy (2) and Joe Hornby and that result consigned Cables to bottom spot wile a goal from Brandon Dickinson failed to prevent Chester Nomads from going down 2-1 at Vauxhall Motors Res.

Unbeaten Division Two pacesetters, Marine U23s, with goals from Darren Brannigan (2) and Joe Levey edged a 3-2 decision at Ashville Res. and one win from their final three fixtures will see them crowned champions.

Alfie Bromilow and Tyler Sutton bagged the hosts' consolations.

In an absorbing tussle at third placed Helsby, a brace of penalties from Lee Turkington failed to deter fourth placed rivals, Mallaby, who snatched a 3-2 result courtesy of replies from Jack Ledsham, Danny McLoughlin and an injury time winner from Nathan Cope.

A effort from Jason Bull and an own goal helped Poulton Vics to a 2-2 draw with Cheshire Lines, who hit back via Nathan Midghall and Steve MeGarry.

On target for relegation threatened Maghull Res in a welcome 3-1 victory at Marshalls Res were Dan O'Leary, San Dahl and Lewis King.

Saturday's Division Three action saw Poulton Royal bolster their chances of going up, when Lewis Ward (2) and Kyle Bennett obliged in a 3-1 win at Neston Nomads and this Friday evening's game at third placed Bootle Res could well decide the second promotion spot.

Bootle Res scored through Jack Hughes and Lewis Leach but but dropped two points, after a double from Chester Nomads Res' Danny Cawley inspired the hosts to a share of the spoils.

Paul Humphries, Sreve McLeod and Tom McDonald bagged a goal apiece as Runcorn Sports Res. savoured a 3-0 victory over West Kirby Res, but a goal from Heswall Res' Dan O'Halloran failed to prevent his side from losing 2-1 at home to South Liverpool Third's who sealed the result with efforts from Sam Valentine and Tom Feeley.

Only one fixture took place on Saturday in the Youth Division and it was celebration time for Runcorn Linnets after a solitary strike from Kaan Arikboga clinched all three points at City of Liverpool.

In midweek, current leaders Vauxhall Motors had Kyle Foster and Joel Jones but were denied maximum spoils after Victoria Colts hit back via Ben Ryan and Reece Darling.