THE honours ended even in Saturday’s eagerly anticipated West Cheshire League Division One derby between promoted Chester Nomads and Upton AA.

Dave Wright’s side twice took the lead but the new kids on the block battled back to earn a 2-2 draw.

Although incident-packed throughout, the clash lacked in quality and it was a defensive mistake which allowed Kieran Smith to draw Nomads level after Andy Lloyd had opened the scoring.

Improving Upton, who are now unbeaten in four, regained the lead when Ryan Brown took advantage of a goalkeeping error. But back came the hosts and they equalised for the second and final time through Ilya Haycock.

Christleton moved level on points with Nomads after they ended their six-game winless run with a 1-0 home victory over Marshalls given to them by Steve Finlay.

Blacon Youth Club are fearing a Cairns Crescent curse after their wait for a home win continued.

Paul Broadbent’s team went down 1-0 to a Marine Reserves side that finished the match with nine men after having two players sent-off late on.

Capenhurst Villa (Mike Urmston, Andy Crawford) lost 3-2 at home to New Brighton in Division Two.

Chester Nomads Reserves (George Pulford, Peter Fitzpatrick, Mike Connell, Joe Imlach, Elliot Gorst, Jake McCallum) romped to a 6-0 Division Three success at home to Hale Reserves.

Christleton Reserves (Andy Warburton, Adam Wilson) drew 2-2 at Belfry, a result match by Upton AA (David Carman, Nathan Freeman) at home to AFC Bebington Athletic Reserves. Capenhurst Reserves (Matty Lancashire, Damien McGinnigle) won 2-1 at New Brighton Reserves.

Helsby suffered Cheshire Amateur Cup heartbreak as they lost 3-0 on penalties at higher-division Heswall after the first-round tie finished 0-0 after extra-time.

Helsby’s young guns were beaten 4-3 in their Youth Division encounter at Hale in spite of Anthony Foran (2) and Chris Potter strikes.