MIDDLEWICH Town FC's hopes of retaining their Mid Cheshire League Division One title were dealt a crushing blow on Saturday.

Terry Muphy's men lost 3-2 at home to title rivals Barnton who now have the upper hand as the season draws to a close.

Barnton are now level on points with Middlewich at the top of the table, but are just ahead on goal difference and, crucially, the Townfield Lane side have four games in hand.

Both sides now face a week on the league sidelines although Barnton are in action on Saturday when they line up against Rylands in the President's Cup.

Meanwhile Middlewich Town Reserves have the chance to add another piece of silverware to the club's trophy cabinet.

Steve Moores' team travel to Trafford tonight, Wednesday, to take on Pilkington Reserves in the final of the Reserves Division Cup.

And if the Reserves can take their current league form into the final they should bring back the trophy to go alongside that won by the first team earlier this season.

Middlewich Reserves kept their recent good run going last week with a 1-0 away win at Garswood Reserves.

And they are still in with a realistic chance of a league and cup double as they are currently just eight points behind league leaders Daten Reserves and have four games in hand.

Following the cup final the reserves return to league action on Saturday at home against Penketh and Sankey Reserves.