HIGHER Fold's hopes of a third consecutive Division One title slipped further from their grasp with a 3-2 home defeat by second in the table Rope & Anchor.

Paul Donlan, Andrew Pearcy and Mick Wilde goals put Rope six points clear of the defending champions who replied through Steve Connor and Steve Burns.

Still with a three point cushion at the top however sit Kersal Vale as John Smith with four and a Steve Tidmas treble earned a 7-1 home win over Moonraker, Dennis Hilton the consolation goal scorer for the visitors.

Matt Pollard and Chris Sutton goals saw Limelight to a 2-0 win at Three Crowns A, whilst Paul Swift, Danny Laycock and Damien Lowe clinched a 3-2 victory for Fir Tree Rangers at home to George VI, Stuart McPike getting both in reply.

Courts still head Division Two by two points as Dave Dooley, Jamie Brown and Stuart Pickup scored in a 3-0 win at bottom team Ukranian Club.

Howe Bridge Mills stay second after a 6-3 home win over Fir Tree Rangers Reserves. Dave Sizer (2), David Hogan, Paul Mee, Aaron Walker and Wayne Sankey scored for Mills and Stuart Neill (2) and Jason Halliday for the losers.

Mark Spencer and Darren Evans scored for Asda Golborne and Andy Tipping twice for Horns Inn in a 2-2 stalemate.

Lee Coleman scored a hat-trick and Clinton Andrews two for Bowling Green in a 5-1 home win over Atherton Royals, Rob Houghton replying for the losers.