KARL Thomas struck his second Act R Sports hat-trick of the season as they defeated visiting Halton Borough 5-1 in their Grange Valley Amusements Division One encounter.

A classy midfield display from Paul Mot-tram also provided goals for Richie Jones and the impressive Neal Darracott. Halton's reply came from a Gary Jones 30-yard stunner .

Also in Division One, Sean Homer's hat-trick plus a strike from Tony Leidon saw Whiston Cross take the points 4-0 against Greenall SO.

In Division Two's match of the day, Rain-hill Town Res brought home the three points against Windle Labour Club. A double by Joyce, coupled with a Bathgate penalty and Gibson goal, secured the 4-3 win which kept them top.

A windswept Division Three match saw Widnes Bayer share the spoils at Culcheth SC 3-3. Graham Long knocked in two while Bayer's other was an own goal and Matty Prichard was praised for his display.

Widnes Bayer Reserves went one better, earning a home 3-1 win over Spartak in Division Four. Paul Anderson, Jack Blackburn and man of the match Ryan Dowd netted.

In 'outside' cup competitions, Rainhill Town progressed to the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Cup with a 5-1 win over Old Bootle. A Liam Pearson hat-trick helped them on their way and, after providing a goal for Gannon, McCracken slotted one away himself.

Moore United went through to the semi-finals of the Runcorn District F.A Cup with a 5-1 thrashing of Chester & District side Frodsham United. John Ellis, Paul Shaw , Dave Willetts, Sean Willott and Ben Jones fired the bullets.

Premier Division Moorfield were stunned as two late Vulcan strikes in a away 3-1 win left the hosts to rue wasted chances throughout the league game.

A missed penalty from Mark Wilson stood out, not least because Vulcan took a first-half lead just after this. They held on until midway through the second half.

A long, misguided effort was fumbled into his own goal by the unfortunate Vulcan keeper.

Moorfield had chances to win but were hit on the break twice in quick succession.

The green and golds' second string gifted Fearnhead a point after late lapses of concentration saw Moorfield Res concede twice in a 3-3 draw - despite dominating the game from start to finish.

Stand-in skipper David Handley was inspirational and opened the scoring with a looping shot after great link-up play on the right.

Sam Barr almost immediately extended the lead at a set-piece - a powerful, well-executed header coming courtesy of Danny Williamson.

Moorfield struck again only to concede a sloppy goal to gift Fearnhead a lifeline.

Fears of a comeback appeared to have been quashed when youngster Ben Price rifled home after great work by Danny Williamson.

But with their wind in their faces Fearnhead adapted better to the conditions and pulled one back late on.

After Moorfield's John Moss had seen an outrageous effort pushed onto the bar, Fearnhead struck the killer equaliser.

Caretaker manager Danny Moneypenny was seething.

'We were the better side for long periods of the game, the midfield worked tirelessly all afternoon.

'The conditions weren't the best but you have to adapt to the conditions. We'll bounce back,' he said.

Meanwhile, Moorfield 3rd earned a point at home to Avon Athletic in a blustery 3-3 battle. Wayne Cheetham bagged two while Phil Marsden also scored for Stuart Chance's men.

Halton Borough Res lost 4-1 at home to Waterloo Wanderers, Neil Laws striking for Halton in the last 15 minutes.