LOSTOCK fell to a disappointing defeat in the opening round of the President’s Cup against high-flying Denton Town.

The Grey Lambs dominated the opening period of the game, playing some fantastic football that Denton struggled to cope with.

On 20 minutes, Palmer opened the scoring for the hosts with a close-range header from a Latham free kick.

Wilding then had an excellent chance to make it two when put clear through, but the Denton stopper made an excellent save to keep his team in contention.

A lack of concentration allowed Denton back in the game when a long throw into the box caused mass confusion, and Ellis drove home a half-clearance from the edge of the box. Denton soon made it two when an offside decision wasn’t given and Martins took his time to lob the ball over the advancing Bird in goal.

Lostock came out eager to get back on level terms, but were dealt an early blow when another defensive mix-up allowed Ellis in to fire home.

Barnton 1 Middlewich Town 3

BARNTON fell at the first hurdle of the Cheshire League Division One Cup as rivals Middlewich strolled to a comfortable victory.

Visiting Town edged affairs at Townfield Lane and it was Terry Murphy’s men who took the lead through Dave Tasker.

Defender Jay Crellin brought the hosts level but shortly after half-time Town took the lead again when the referee awarded a penalty. Gary Bryning smashed home the spot kick after Jonny Edwards was adjudged to have been brought down.

Any hopes Barnton had of launching a comeback vanished when Tasker added a controversial third for the visitors.

Barnton goalscorer Jay Crellin was sent off for dissent after leading Barnton’s claims that Tasker was offside.

Of the penalty decision, boss Steve O’Hara said: "I went off the players’ reactions and they did not think it was a penalty. But that’s football. If it was down the other end, I’d be applauding the decision.

"We have a got a young group of players playing in a man’s league so it is hard and Pilkingtons will be another tough game.

"But we’ll look to develop and if we can stay up then we have had a successful season which we’ll be able to build on."

Barnton travel to Pilkingtons in the league on Saturday (3pm ko).