MONK Sports maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Grange Valley first division of Warrington Soccer League with a 3-1 victory against championship rivals Stockton Lane.
But Silver Birch are now treading water at the other end of the table after following last week's semi-final exit from the Jubilee Cup with defeats at the hands of Greenalls and Halton Borough to leave them second from bottom.
In Division Two, Matthiola defeated third-placed Culcheth 1-0 to dent their title hopes but were then dealt a blow themselves as they were on the wrong end of a 5-4 thriller against Windle LC to virtually confirm the top spot for Beechwood.
A brace from Daniel Chadwick helped to eliminate any lingering relegation fears Croft had as they bagged a 3-1 win at Lomax CC, with Neil Shacklady also hitting the target.
Daryl Brough's stunning volley was enough to give Winwick United a 1-0 victory against Fife Rangers in Division Three, although it took a heroic performance from United keeper Iain Hunter to keep Rangers at bay in the second half.
In Reserve Division Two, Monk Sports came from behind to win 4-2 at Fearnhead in midweek and keep alive their hopes of finishing in second place.
A hat-trick from Hales and another strike by Marsh undid Fearnhead, for whom Tom Daintith struck twice.
Fearnhead then crashed to another defeat as they lost 2-0 to Stockton Lane on Saturday, while Monk were held to a 0-0 draw by Whiston Thirds.
Vicars Reserves were crowned champions of Reserve Division Three with two games to spare.
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