GARETH Jones bagged his 600th career goal as Dalton United beat Kendal United 2-1.

The prolific former Barrow AFC striker slotted home from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to seal a valuable three points in this West Lancs League Division Two fixture.

With both teams sitting in the top half of the table it promised to be a good game at a sunny Railway Meadow.

The opening 30 minutes were even with chances limited for both teams. Dalton controlled possession but the nearest they came to opening the scoring was from a couple of long-range efforts from the ever-improving Jack Hurst.

The game sprung to life on 32 minutes when a long through ball caused confusion among the Dalton defenders, allowing the Kendal striker to help the ball trickle over the line.

To make matters worse the Dalton keeper Phil Rigg suffered an injury trying to stop the ball crossing the line which meant he was no longer able to continue. Winger Jonny While, who had been tormenting the Kendal defence, took over in goals.

To Dalton’s credit they responded well to the setback and took the game to Kendal. On 40 minutes Gareth Jones had an effort well saved by the Kendal keeper but within a minute Frazer Shand equalised following some good interplay from the Dalton forwards.

Dalton dominated the second half. Substitute Rhys Forbes and Craig Rutherford controlled play with George Akred, Andrew Frazer and Kane Fitch defending well when required. On 63 minutes stand-in keeper While pulled off a magnificent reflex save to deny what looked like a certain Kendal goal. Chances came and went for Dalton with Shand, Forbes and Gareth Jones all coming close.

With the game entering the final five minutes a long throw from Fiddler found Danny Leech who was pushed to the ground. Jones stepped up and made no mistake to score his 600th career goal and more importantly secure all three points for the home side.

Elsewhere in the division Millom picked up another important win with a 3-1 victory away at Charnock Richard reserves.

Phil Edmondson (2) and Jamie Pattinson were on target for Millom who sit third in the table.

Walney Island drew 3-3 at Euxton Villa reserves. Steve Brennan, an own goal and Fraser Miles’ first goal in senior football saw the islanders share the points.

Furness Cavaliers beat Tempest reserves 4-2 thanks to Kyle Delves who helped himself to all four goals.

Furness Rovers lost 1-0 at home to Padiham reserves.

In Division One Askam lost 3-0 away to Lostock St Gerards and Hawcoat also tasted defeat, 2-1, away at Hurst Green.

Pat Allington equalised for Hawcoat but they lost out to another late goal. It was better news for Crooklands Casuals as they beat Fulwood Amateurs reserves 4-1.

Chris Wraighte (2) Steve Caskie and Kieron Clark were all on target for Cassies. GSK Ulverston Rangers beat bottom side Mill Hill St Peters 5-0. Chris Bolton (2) Andy Whiteford (2) and James Pinnegor were the GSK scorers.

In the Premier Division Vickerstown lost 2-0 away to Fulwood Amateurs. Holker Old Boys picked up three points with a 6-1 win at home over Oswestry Town.

Nath Reid (2), JP Stanway (2) Robbie Wallace and Callum Baynes were all on target for Holker who are still in the hunt for the play-off places.

Furness Premier League title hopefuls Hawcoat Park reserves secured another three points with a 4-0 win over Walney Island reserves. Mike Melia, Carl Pearson, Frankie Ellis and Matty Pickering all found the net for Hawcoat.

Haverigg United are making a fist of the title race and they beat Kirkby 4-3. Haverigg had to come back from a 3-1 half-time deficit and were inspired by a John Chmiel hat-trick, his third goal coming by way of a last-minute winner.

Bradley Maine was also on target for Haverigg.

Barrow Celtic disposed of Swarthmoor 5-1 at Newby Terrace. Rob Johnson (4) and Jono France were the Celtic goalscorers.

Last season’s champions Croftlands lost 2-1 to an ever-improving Bootle side. Steve Pritt scored both Bootle’s goals and Croftlands’ reply came by way of an own goal.

Millom reserves beat Britannia 1-0 thanks to a Matt Pachul goal.

Coniston and Furness Cavaliers reserves shared eight goals in a 4-4 draw. Matt Hargreaves (2), Pete Dixon and Richie Wilkes all found the net for Cavs.

Ben Clarke (2) Andrew Warne and Tommy Clarke replied for Coniston. Vickerstown reserves were reduced to 10 men after only 10 minutes against Holker Old Boys reserves who went on to win 3-0. Jack Stoker, Steve Forbes and David Cook were the Holker marksmen.

Millom A have now opened up a four-point gap at the top of Division One after their 3-0 win over Haverigg reserves. Bri Dawson (2) and Steve Rowe were the Millom scorers.

Second-placed Hawcoat A lost ground on the leaders after losing 3-2 to Barrow Wanderers. Callum and Ryan Muncaster were both on target for Hawcoat, but Nath Cloudsdale, Ryan Docherty and Jordan Wallace put a dent in Hawcoat’s title hopes while keeping their own alive.

Bridge United beat Vickerstown A 6-2. Josh Harris (3) Josh Greenwood, Kieran Roberts and Reece Craig scored for Bridge. Charlie Spence and Ben Wright replied for Vickerstown. Ormsgill North End lost 2-1 at home to Crooklands Casuals.

A 30-yard strike from Anthony Brown wasn’t enough for Ormsgill as Jake Stiendl and Terry Anderson both scored for Crooklands. Division Two leaders British Legion got back to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Bootle reserves.

Paul Williams, Ste Colquhoun and Coen White (2) all found the net for Legion. Chris Scott was on target for Bootle.

Holker Old Boys A made it 18 goals in two weeks after an 8-1 win over Britannia reserves. Connor Erdis (4), Tom Jefferson, Matt Rourke, Max Henderson and a penalty from the evergreen Andy Baynes made up the Holker tally.

Jo Gedling scored the consolation goal for Britannia. Millom St James lost 1-0 to GSK Ulverston reserves.