It was back to Macron Challenge Cup action for 30 Hallmark Security League clubs at the weekend, with 15 ties in the second round across Saturday and Sunday.

Just one club overcame opposition from a higher division, and Cheadle Town did so in style with a 5-0 win over Bootle at Park Road.

Goals from Joe Nield, Ben Brooks and Rhys Webb built a three-goal lead at the break, and a further goal from Webb and a fifth from Rhys Clooney rounded off a fine win.

Avro were the day's biggest winners, with their 7-0 beating of Wythenshawe Town equalling their record league win by the same score over Stone Dominoes in early October. Kane Wallwork and Duncan Knott both scored twice for Avro.

Highest scoring away winners were Nelson, who won 5-0 at Maine Road with five scorers getting on the scoresheet, closely followed by Congleton Town, for whom Dan Cope and Steve Foster both scored twice in their 4-0 defeat of Stone Dominoes.

In addition to Cheadle Town, three other clubs also recorded 5-0 home wins.

Scott McGowan struck a hat trick in 1874 Northwich's win over AFC Blackpool, as did Chris Baguley in Prestwich Heys' victory over Cleator Moor Celtic.

In the early kick-off, Rylands were the first team to clinch a third round place, with Liam Moran scoring twice in the 5-0 win over Cheadle Heath Nomads.

West Didsbury & Chorlton took advantage of their re-instatement into the competition by progressing to the next round, thanks to first half goals from Kyle Pearson and Ben Woods setting them on the way to a 2-1 win at Eccleshall.

Premier Division leaders City of Liverpool kept their hopes of a league and cup double alive with a 26th minute goal from Craig Cairns earning them a 1-0 home win over Squires Gate, and at the other end of the table Abbey Hey put their league woes to one side with a 2-0 victory over Atherton LR at the Abbey Stadium, Oliver Walker and Teddy Osipitan both scoring in the second half.

Two Premier Division clubs saw off First Division South opponents on home soil, with Chad Whyte scoring a hat trick in Burscough's 3-1 Sandbach United and Zack Dale getting two of Barnoldswick Town's goal in their 3-0 win over Wythenshawe Amateurs.

Two games matching teams from Division One North and South were decided on penalties.

Cammell Laird 1907 won 6-5 on penalties in their shoot out with Lower Breck after a goalless 90 minutes, and Garstang came from two goals down to eventually earn a 2-2 draw at Stockport Town, and subsequently won 5-3 on penalties.

Four games took place in the Premier Division, and Silsden missed the chance to narrow the gap on the five teams above them in the table when they went down 5-2 at home to Irlam.  Matthew Boland scored twice for the visitors.

Padiham moved into eighth place thanks the point from a 2-2 draw at Litherland REMYCA, although they will no doubt feel it should have been three points, as Liam O`Neill and Lee Knight had put them into a two goal lead with ten minutes remaining.

Dylan Scott and Liam Morris then struck twice in the space of five minutes to rescue a point for Remy.

There was an exciting end to the game at Brocstedes Park, where a Joshua Nicholson strike in the 89th minute sealed a 2-1 win for Ashton Athletic over Whitchurch Alport.  Adam Gilchrist had levelled just before half time following Daniel Skelton's opener for Alport.

Hanley Town ended a run of seven straight defeats with a very welcome 2-0 win over Winsford United at Potteries Park, thanks to second half goals from Michael Keates and Lewis Salmon.

A feast of goal action entertained spectators at the four games played in the First Division North, with 27 goals scored across Friday and Saturday.

Leaders Longridge Town had no game, but Carlisle City narrowed their lead at the top to four points with a 6-3 win over Daisy Hill at Gillford Park.  David Renyard struck twice for City, and Robert McCartney notched his 22nd goal of the season in a win that moves them 11 points clear of third place.

AFC Liverpool moved up into fourth place with their Friday night 3-2 win at home to AFC Darwen, Andrew Lewis striking the decisive goal for the Reds just before the hour mark.

Angus Maney's 85th minute goal edged Steeton to a 4-3 home win over St Helens Town, while Chadderton and Bacup Borough shared six goals in a 3-3 draw at the ARK Fleetech Stadium, with Anthony Hall's 90th minute penalty rescuing a point for Borough.

There were three games in the First Division South, and Abbey Hulton United moved two points clear at the top following a 3-0 win at Barnton, although they left it late with their goals from Joshua Tune, Thomas

France and Lee Cropper all arriving in the last 15 minutes.

St Martins lost ground at the top after being held to a goalless draw by Vauxhall Motors, although they remain in fifth place, and Alsager Town moved up into eighth place after a 3-1 home win over New Mills, Jack Edwards scoring in each half for the Bullets.

Ian Templeman