.....set the pace at the top following their 3-0 win at home to Abbey Hey.

Craig Cairns, Jamie MacDonald and Luke Denson were on target for the Purps, who stay five points clear of Congleton Town in second place, who won 3-0 at Ashton Athletic on Friday night. 

Two late goals from Saul Henderson made the game safe for the Bears.

Ryan Cox, Steve Jones and Carl Peers all scored in Bootle's 3-0 win at Hanley Town that keeps them in fourth place, two points ahead of Barnoldswick Town, who beat West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-1 at home, thanks to a double from Zack Dale.

In the derby clash at Victoria Park Carl Grimshaw's 79th minute goal seemed to have sealed the points for Charnock Richard at Burscough, but Yves Zama struck in the 90th minute to salvage a point for the home side.

Litherland REMYCA came from behind to earn a 2-1 win at Whitchurch Alport, thanks to goals from Ashton Clements and Jack Riley.

In the First Division North, Longridge Town extended their lead at the top of the table, winning 3-1 at Nelson, while nearest challengers Carlisle City were held to a 2-2 draw at Steeton.

Paul Turner struck a hat-trick for Longridge, and Carlisle's hopes of matching their result were dashed by an 90th minute equaliser from Steeton's Alistair Morgan.

Shelley stay in fourth place after a 2-1 at AFC Blackpool that also involved a 90th minute goal, the winner from Emerson Bradshaw.

Lower Breck were the highest scorers of the day in the division, with Stephen Milne's hat trick being the highlight of their 5-0 win over AFC Darwen.

Anyone arriving late to the game between Bacup Borough and Daisy Hill would have had cause for regret as the score was 2-2 after 11 minutes although Borough eventually ran out 4-2 winners.

Daisy Hill remain just above the relegation zone but are now just one point ahead of Holker Old Boys, who won 1-0 at bottom club Atherton LR, thanks to a Nathan Reid goal in the 47th minute.

In the other game, AFC Liverpool won 2-1 at Chadderton.

The First Division South is still headed by Rylands, who won 3-0 at Eccleshall thanks to first half goals from Liam Moran, Gary Kenny and Jamie White.

Wythenshawe Amateurs are second after their 1-0 win at home to St Martins, Jordan Burton's goal proving to be decisive, and they are level on points with Abbey Hulton United, whose 2-1 win at Cheadle Town was notable for the fact that all the goals arrived in the opening five minutes.

Wythenshawe Town's 7-1 win at Stone Dominoes was the eye-catching score of the day, but even more remarkable was that seven different scorers shared the Town goals.

FC Oswestry Town continued their recent good form with a 2-0 win over Cheadle Heath Nomads, Liam Parry and David Howarth on target, and Sandbach United continued their climb up the table with a win by

the same score at Maine Road, thanks to goals from Matthew Pearson and Aidan Haughton.

Ryan Malone and Samuel Houghton both scored twice in Barnton's 6-2 win at Cammell Laird 1907, and it was a red-letter day for Ellesmere Rangers who picked up their first win of the season, and their first in our league, with a 1-0 win at Alsager Town, thanks to a goal in the 8th minute from Joseph Imlach.

In the other game New Mills won 3-1 at home to Stone Old Alleynians.

Ian Templeman