Last updated at 13:21, Monday, 09 April 2012

DALTON United took a huge leap towards promotion back to the Sports 360 West Lancs Premier Division with a 3-1 win over previously-unbeaten league leaders Longridge Town.

ON TARGET: Gareth Jones scores for Dalton United as they beat Longridge Town 3-1 at Railway Meadow HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50032109B002

The visitors went ahead after just 20 seconds at Railway Meadow, but second-half goals from Gareth Jones – his 251st league goal for Dalton – Phil Rigg and Sam Alexander gave United a 3-1 victory.

The win puts Dalton clear of the other three sides in the hunt for second place after Hesketh Bank beat Norcross and Warbreck 1-0 and Crooklands Casuals lost ground following a 2-2 draw against Hawcoat Park.

The Furness derby game featured three penalties, with Mike Hargreaves putting Cassies ahead from the spot in the first half.

Carl Pearson equalised for Hawcoat before Hargreaves’ second penalty of the afternoon restored the Crooklands lead in the second half.

Dave Round levelled the scores again with the game’s third spot kick.

While a disappointment for Crooklands, it was another valuable point for Hawcoat as they edge towards safety at the bottom end of the table.

There was little optimism for Millom, however, as they lost a key game at home to Wyre Villa.

Millom were 3-0 down at half-time and replied with second-half goals from Dave Cooper and Carl Waters, but they could not find an equaliser and the game finished 3-2 to the visitors.

There was a massive game this afternoon when Millom travelled to face Furness Rovers (3pm kick-off).

Rovers were not in league action on Saturday, but travelled to Longridge to play Haslingden St Mary’s in the Presidents Cup semi-final.

Despite having a greater share of possession, Rovers could not find a goal and eventually lost 3-0.

In the West Lancs Premier Division, Vickerstown pulled off a smash-and-grab raid at Slyne with Hest, coming from behind to win 2-1 through a brace from Rob Bruce.

Askam United’s excellent form continued in Division Two with a 3-0 win at Milnthorpe Corinthians as they moved up to fourth in the table.

Scorers for the Villagers were Callum Rayner (2) and Kyle Jefferson.

Walney Island stay bottom after going down 3-1 at promotion-chasing Burscough Richmond. James Burns scored for Walney and they also scored two own goals for the home side.

Holker Old Boys won 2-1 at home to Northwich Villa in the North West Counties Division One, as they completed the league double over their visitors.

Old Boys led 2-0 at half-time through Guy Heffernan and Danny Sawyer and, despite the visitors pulling a goal back from the penalty spot, Holker held firm to take the three points.

The Rifleman’s Garage Furness Premier Division title race continues to be close, with Bootle and Barrow Wanderers both winning at the weekend.

Bootle stay top after a 4-2 win at Vickerstown reserves.

Mark Treen put the home side ahead and Aaron Read put them 2-1 up from the penalty spot, but Bootle showed their spirit by responding with goals from Ben Postlethwaite (2), Steven Pritt and Wayne Dawson.

Barrow Wanderers’ victory over Hawcoat Park reserves was more comfortable as they ran out 6-0 winners.

Dean Crossman scored a hat-trick, with Nathan Cloudsdale, Sean Darby and Jasper Carey also on target.

Having lost to Bootle in midweek, Millom reserves suffered another local derby defeat, going down 3-0 to Haverigg United. John Chmiel (2) and Drew Postlethwaite scored the goals for United

Barrow Celtic moved off the bottom of the table with a 4-2 win at Kirkby United reserves thanks to a hat-trick from Chris Malone and an Ash Daly penalty. Dave Regan scored both for Kirkby.

Britannia all but clinched the Premier Tiles Division One title with a 4-0 win over Vickerstown A.

Brit had to work hard for the win and led through an early Lee Jackson goal, but it was not until late in the game that goals from Dave Jepson, Ben Magee and Warren Cleece sealed the victory.

Barrow Island are third after a 2-0 win over Askam United thanks to goals from Phil Kyle and Tony Miller.

Furness Cavaliers reserves came back from 3-0 down at half-time to draw with Millom A.

Millom led through a 25-yarder from Jordan Thompson and a brace from Owen Gilchrist, but Cavaliers drew level through James Watts, Scott Linklater and Stuart Schofield.

Bottom-of-the-table Dalton United A produced their second win of the season by beating Walney Island reserves 2-1.

Scorers were Dan Myles and John Renton, with Anthony Friend on target for Walney.

The only game in Division Two was high scoring as Furness Rovers A beat Barrow Celtic reserves 5-4.

Rovers scorers were Shaun Pollock (2), Ceri Thomas (2) and Matt Burns, while Shaun Hunt (2), Jason Stubbs and Carl Brown replied for Celtic.

GSK Ulverston Rangers completed the semi-final line-up in the Horne Cup by beating Hawcoat Park A 4-0. Scorers were Paul Hartley, Callum Allardyce, Corey Smith and Jamie Tweddle.

Swarthmoor Social held third-placed Galgate to a creditable 0-0 draw at Park Road in the Baines Bagguley North Lancs Premier Division, but they are running out of games and need to start winning if they are to escape relegation.

First published at 13:09, Monday, 09 April 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk