PENNINGTON registered a first Premier Division win of the season with a 2-1 home victory over Elton Fold.

Veteran striker Bren Gilbertson opened the scoring for the Howe Bridge outfit on ten minutes when he headed home completely unmarked. On 70 minutes former Chester City star Barry Butler made the most of more slack Elton defending to score the second. In the final minutes Steve Smith scored for the Bury lads and ended a long, long wait according to manager Guy Mallinson. "We worked it out after the game that that was our first goal in nine hours of football," he admits.

The top of the table clash in Division One saw Leigh Athletic take over poll position with a 3-2 home win over big rivals Breightmet United. The visitors went into the game two points clear at the top and took a tenth minute lead when Paul Gallagher crossed, Jimmy Beavers shot was saved and Phil Hinks pounced to put in the rebound.

Latics levelled on the quarter hour through Danny Wilson but United regained the lead with Hinks again the scorer. Latics levelled from the penalty spot through Gordon Walker after United's Simon O'Dowd had fouled Wilson and in the last minute of the first half scored what proved to be the winner when Craig Little headed in from a corner despite being outnumbered by Breightmet defenders.

United's chances of getting back in the game were effectively extinguished with the second half sending off of Adam Taylor for two reckless challenges. Little for Leigh and two goal Hinks for Breightmet won the respective star player votes.

United's Reserve team beat Pennington 2-1 with a last minute winner whilst Leigh second team went down 4-1 at Ashton Athletic, Tony Lewis scoring the goal and Mel Parry getting a red card. Atherton Town's Reserves won 5-1 at home to Hollinwood with former Atherton Colls striker Alan Shawcross scoring three and Daniel Christie and Chris Garvey one.