THE two Division One early season pacesetters came unstuck in a big way last Saturday.

After four wins on the bounce Rope & Anchor travelled to Salford for clash with league new boys Kersal Vale and went down heavily to a 4-0 defeat. Goals for the former Bolton Combination club came from Chris Arnison, John Smith, George Rowbotham and Steve Fagan.

Likewise Three Crowns A also gained confidence from a quartet of opening victories eroded in a surprise 3-1 home defeat by Royal Oak. Lee Cambray was the man to do the damage with stunning hat-trick after Chris Dawber had given Crowns hope with a goal on the stroke of half time which had made it 1-1.

A Mark Mather 20th minute strike gave Legion a 1-0 home win over Fir Tree Rangers. Greg Anderton on 27 minutes and Paul Banks on 40 gave Leigh Avenue a 2-0 home victory over AFC Limelight.

Reigning champions Higher Fold bounced back after consecutive defeats as goals from Steve Connor, Neil Clayton and Shaun Ripley earned a 3-0 home win over Hag Fold WMC.

Howe Bridge Mills march on in Division Two as Paul White and Martin Yates goals made it five consecutive wins, 28 goals scored and just three against. This latest victory was all he more impressive as it came against closest challengers Courts.

Gary Nugent struck on the half hour to secure a 1-0 victory for Asda Golborne at Horns Inn. Andy Hughes scored twice for Concert Inn but it wasn't enough as his side went down 3-2 at Atherton Royals to goals from Wayne Hampson, Wayne Brindle and Paul Dickinson. David Parkinson, Clinton Andrews and Alex Ross saw Bowling Green to a 3-0 triumph over Three Crowns B whilst Mike McNally (2), Steve Britton and Steve Unsworth gave Fir Tree Rangers a 4-3 home win over Ukranian Club, Neil Hindley getting two for the losers.