VICTORIES for leaders Elton and Darcy Lever -- and a surprise Atherton defeat at Adlington -- have turned the Bolton Association title challenge into a two-horse race.

Darcy go into the last three games 22 points behind the long-time leaders after a four-wicket win over Lostock.

Devendra Bundela, Darcy's pro, made the big difference with 86 runs after Lostock opened with 132-7.

But it looks as though nothing will stop Elton after a convincing seven-wicket victory at Blackrod, whose target of 120-6 was never going to be enough. Blackrod's Craig Smith scored 41 and Graham Walsh 28 -- but Chris Read's 44 for Elton and pro Dexter Fitton's unbeaten 29 got the job done.

Adlington effectively ended third-placed Atherton's title hopes with a 92-run victory.

Chasing 182-9, Adlington were thankful to last season's second-team captain Chris Mulligan, who made his mark with with 51. Mark Halliwell added 38 runs and Mike Rawlings 35.

Atherton managed just 90 in reply. Matthew Taylor took four wickets for 33 runs while, earlier, Atherton's Lee Childs had taken 4-72 and Paul Walsh 3-39. Atherton are now 51 points behind the leaders with 60 to play for.

Reigning champions Walshaw moved to within two points of Atherton with an 82-run victory over 10-man Daisy Hill.

The Bury side's 186-5 proved well out of Daisy's reach. Liam Riley took five Daisy wickets for 20 runs and Jonathan Fielding 4-59 to secure victory, after Brett Collins had scored 66 and Tony Kelly 54 to lay the foundations for Walshaw's win.

Clifton moved up to fifth place -- and completed a maximum haul of 60 points from their last three matches -- with a 37-run victory over Astley and Tyldesley.

Andrew Griffiths hit 52 as Clifton set a target of 154, with A&T bowler Simon Nicklin taking 5-54 and Matthew Cutt 3-32.

In reply, A&T were all out for 117, with Robin Jackson taking 4-28.

Bottom club Golborne scored just 73 in a four-wicket defeat against Little Hulton -- with Ijaz Mahmood and Mark Penny each taking five wickets.

Barry Greenwood gave Little Hulton a scare by taking 5-27, but Mahmood saw them home with an unbeaten 34.

Lostock are just above Golborne, while Edgworth lie third-from-bottom after drawing at home to Spring View. The visitors set a target of 221-5, Rob Turnbull hitting 89 and pro Arindam Sarkar 87. Edgworth pro Adam Syddall took four of the View wickets, then helped his side hang on at 154-8, Guy Haynes scoring 73.