ELLESMERE Port completed their dismal season on a bright note as they grabbed a 2-0 derby victory over Castrol Social on Saturday.
The win saw Port open up a four-point lead over their second-from-bottom vanquished neighbours, but the Oilmen still have six games left to address their plight.
Vauxhall Reserves are also just four points better off than Port with three games remaining, but if any of the town's sides do finish in the bottom two relegation places, they could be spared.
If, as anticipated, Cammell Laird finally progress into the North West Counties League, automatic relegation may not come into effect, which would leave a vacancy in the top flight and possibly safeguard the Ellesmere Port-based clubs' futures.
Back-to-back victories have given Capen-hurst Villa a glimmer of hope in their battle to avoid relegation from Division Two, which would ultimately see their reserve side forfeit their place in Division Three.
Capenhurst, who are West Cheshire Bowl finalists, had Jordan Brierley and Carl Ladbrooke on target after Saturday's superb 2-0 victory at Heswall Reserves, but they are still not out of the woods after fellow strugglers Manor Athletic and Christleton Reserves posted respective wins against FC Pensby and Ashville Reserves.
The latter two victories virtually sealed Willaston's fate after only one season in Division Two, and unless they can bag maximum returns from their remaining four games, it looks like Capenhurst will also be relegated.
In Division Three, it was celebration time for Grange Athletic who ran out comfortable 5-1 victors at Capenhurst Villa Reserves, with Barlow (2), Davies, Brookes and Burns finding the net to give Grange their ninth league win of the season, while Michael Banks scored Cape's consolation.
Ellesmere Port's second string were second best on the day against champions-elect Manweb Reserves. who secured a 4-0 triumph. Vauxhall's Rivacre Park ground hosts the Pyke Cup final between Poulton Victoria and West Kirby on Good Friday (11am).
Other fixtures - Saturday (3pm) - First Division: Newton v Castrol Social; Vauxhall Res v General Chemicals.
Second Division: Maghull Res v Capen-hurst Villa.
Third Division: Ellesmere Port Res v Upton AA Res; MBNA v Grange Athletic.
Monday (11am) - Wirral Amateur Cup final at Ashville FC, Wallasey: Heswall Res v Vauxhall A.
Tuesday (6.30pm) - Third Division: Capenhurst Villa Res v West Kirby Res.
Wednesday, April 14 (6.30pm unless stated) - First Division: Castrol Social v West Kirby; Vauxhall Res v Ashville (7.30pm).
