The December downpours meant that there was nearly a complete washout of football fixtures at the weekend.

Holker Old Boys’ Rakesmoor Lane pitch was passed fit to play after an early inspection though and it was the home side that took full advantage of the less than favourable conditions.

A 2-1 win over Bacup Borough saw them climb out of the North West Counties League First Division North relegation zone and JP Stanway was the Holker hero as he bagged both goals.

His first a superb 30-yard free kick and that was followed by a great finish for his second to seal the points.

The win lifts Old Boys three points clear of the bottom two, with Daisy Hill and Atherton LR both having their matches postponed.

In West Lancashire League Division One, Crooklands Casuals went 2-0 up against CMB through Callum Caldwell and David Graves, only to be denied by a final 20 minutes horror show which saw them concede three goals and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

In Division Two, Joe Blackshaw put Furness Cavaliers 1-0 up at Galgate but that was where the good news ended as they then conceded eight without reply.

Furness Rovers also had a road trip to forget as they went down 3-2 at Mill Hill St Peters. Adam Spence and Nath Cloudsdale twice put Rovers in front, but they were pegged back each time and finally lost out to a late winner.

In the Furness Premier League Premier Division, Dalton United reserves picked up a rare three points thanks to a 5-2 win against Barrow Celtic.

Gareth Jones (2), Harkin, Mulholland and Fraser Shand were also on target. Hugh McParland and Stu Thompson replied for Celtic.

Haverigg United and Bootle locked horns to share seven goals, but the visitors kept hold of second place in the table after a 4-3 win.

Bradley Maine, John Chmiel and Stu Jeynes found the back of the net for Haverigg, and Steve Pritt (2), Graham Hartley and Oliver Smith proved to be the match winners for Bootle.

Division One only saw one game take place as Furness Rovers reserves entertained Millom A and came away victorious after a 2-1 win, with Rob While and John Renton the scorers. Mark O’Brien replied for Millom.

Only one game survived the weather in Division Two as Bootle reserves welcomed Coniston and it was the visitors who went away the happiest following a 4-1 win. Ben Dugdale, Jake Biles, Nathaniel East and Jason Grave were the Coniston scorers, and Thomas Millard for Bootle.