A SUPERB 3-2 victory at Aintree Villa ensured Ellesmere Port escaped relegation from Division One.

After a derby win over Castrol Social in the previous week and a battling 0-0 midweek stalemate at Mallaby, in which Carl Smythe was an absolute colossus, Port completed their great escape on Saturday with goals from Darren Toale, Smythe and Richie White.

Port's terrific end-of-season run proved the resilience of Kevin Mulville's side who were helped considerably by neighbours Castrol Social, who netted through Maurice Doyle (2) and Kevin West to draw 3-3 with Manweb on Friday and send their opponents down with General Chemicals.

Heswall clinched the Division One title for the first time since 1988 with a 3-2 last day win over Merseyside Police.

Home advantage failed to inspire Vauxhall Reserves to victory in Friday's Cheshire FA Amateur Cup final against their Cammell Laird counterparts.

The Motormen actually got off to a flyer as Lairds' Tosney put through his own net in the first five minutes, but two quality finishes before the interval, from James McEvoy and John Couch suddenly turned the game in their opponents' favour.

After the break, Vauxhall camped out in Lairds' half for the first 15 minutes but failed to breach a rearguard which had goalkeeper John Gann in commanding form.

Kristian Hale and young Tom Lyness worked hard to no avail for Vauxhall, whose fate was sealed 14 minutes from time when Alex Bishop slipped his marker before chipping the advancing Farr to give Lairds an unassailable 3-1 lead.

In Division Two, Capenhurst Villa finished third despite losing 4-1 at FC Building Boards.

The race for the Division Three title reached an exciting climax on Saturday with the top three clubs all finishing on 67 points.

Eventual champions, Mond Rangers Reserves lost their final league game in midweek leaving second-placed Willaston the task of winning by seven clear goals to land the title.

Willaston gave it their all and had five-goal Lee Cairns on top of his game but could 'only' muster a 6-2 win at Blacon YC Reserves.

Third-placed New Brighton failed to overhaul Willaston's two-goal advantage despite winning 5-1 at home to St Werburgh's with Gordon Harrison netting four times.

Efforts from Paul Cockram (2) and Nick Cushing inspired fourth-placed Grange Athletic to a 3-1 triumph at Ellesmere Port Reserves in their final game of the season with Phil Coffon replying for the hosts.

Fixture for Friday (7pm at Rivacre Park) - Wirral Senior Cup final: Castrol Social v Cammell Laird Res.