THE Premier Division derby finished with a 1-0 win for Atherton Town over Pennington but left both team managers with much to feel pleased about.

Pennington boss Mike Hardman said, "It was a superb performance by every one of my players. We have been improving week by week and I though we deserved a point out of it." Over in the Town camp there was relief. "They set their stall out to make things difficult for us and all credit to them they did just that," admitted Shaun Lynch. The vital goal came midway through the second half when Daniel Christie headed home for Town against his former club. The Leighton Packaging man of the match award for the winners once again went to midfielder Barry Atkins and for Pennington the award was shared between full back Danny Dyson and young centre back Paul Bohannon. Lancashire FA Shield quarter finalists Elton Fold are currently firing on all cylinders and on Saturday produced their best performance of the season to beat league leaders Prestwich Heys 2-0. "We were just awesome," beamed team boss Guy Mallinson. "As a manager you just cannot ask for more than I got from my players in this match." After surviving early pressure without conceding Fold began to settle and took the lead on the half hour mark when John Price produced a delightful chip over the keeper from 30 yards. Prestwich missed two sitters early in the second period and then saw two of their former players combine for Elton,s second. Keith Ingham out near the corner flag turned three players and crossed for Paul Owen to head home from six yards. Hardworking centre forward Steve Bray got the Fold man of the match nomination. Elsewhere Leigh Athletic drew 2-2 at home with Mitchell Shackleton, Danny Wilson and Clark Dobson the scorers. In Division One Breightmet United came unstuck in a 2-1 defeat at Whalley Range. "They are unbeaten in seven games and you can see why," says United manager Phil Breakell. "They have the two quickest strikers in the league and their pace caught us out but there was much to be pleased with from us." Damien Harper got United off to a cracking start with the opener on five minutes but the game hinged on two controversial refereeing decisions. John Crossland,s shot hit the bar and Paul Smith converted but the "score" was wiped out for offside then the home team,s equaliser on 75 minutes looked to be at least three yards off but was still allowed to stand and the winner came just five minutes from time. Breightmet,s man of the match award went to sweeper Nick Faucett with Phil Heap a close contender.

Reserves

Atherton Town beat Willows 8-2 (Phil Sheehan 4, Tommy Stokes, Gary Fitzmartin, Danny Nightingale) Elton Fold drew 2-2 at Springhead (Dave Malius, Mark Crossan). Breightmet Reserves drew 2-2 at home to East Manchester having been 2-0 up. Hindsford Res beat Hollinwood 7-2, Leigh Athletic won 4-2 at Whitworth Valley, whilst Pennington lost 2-1 at Ashton Athletic.