CHESTER Nomads’ 14- match unbeaten start to West Cheshire League Division Two came to an end on Saturday.
The leaders lost a thrilling contest 5-3 at New Brighton despite a Dale Harris hat-trick.
The result blows the title race wide open with Nomads now just one point clear of Ashville, who won 3-1 at home to Capenhurst Villa (Steve Morgan), and three from New Brighton.
Helsby ended their Division One winless run with a 3-0 home victory over Christleton.
Jeff Abrahams put Blacon Youth Club in front at Marine Reserves, but the basement boys fell apart thereafter and they crashed to a 5-1 reverse.
Upton AA went down 4-1 at table-topping Maghull. Simon Andrews reduced the deficit.
Upton Reserves (Nathan Freeman) also lost, 2-1 at home to promotion-pushing Helsby Reserves (Warren Kelly, Ian Cox) in Division Three.
Christleton Reserves (Josh Wonderley, Ryan Abraham) won 2-1 at home to Ellesmere Port Reserves, while Capenhurst Reserves (Mike Ermston, Iain Armstrong) drew 2-2 at home to Mossley Hill Reserves.
Highfield Athletic and Waggon & Horses beat fellow Chester & District League opposition on Saturday to book their places in the semi-finals of the Chester & District FA Challenge Cup.
Waggon (Matty Halal, Warren Roberts, Brad Mortimer) won 3-2 at home to Duddon United; Highfield (Adam Langton, Joey Waters) 2-1 at home to Peacock 09.
Uberlube (Dan Hackett, Stephen Dodd) progressed in the Chester & District FA Senior Cup on Saturday with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out success at home to Hoole Rangers (Ben Irwin 2). The second-round tie had ended 2-2 after extra-time.
