MILL Brow were up to an uphill task in the Guardian Cup as the Warrington & District League Division Three side accounted for former winners Vulcan in Saturday's third round.

The underdogs made light of the difficult conditions to reach the last eight with a 2-1 victory.

Lee Forber and Ian Mason scored the goals which carried Mill Brow through. Though Forber missed a penalty, the result was secured by a solid, battling team performance against the odds.

Brow could well have lofty opposition in the quarter finals, with three Mid-Cheshire League teams securing their places in the draw - Warrington Borough, Padgate St Oswalds and Daten, who were comprehensive 5-0 winners at neighbouring Croft.

The weather-postponed ties at Moore United and Blackbrook will have to be rescheduled, Burtonwood Albion and St Michaels the respective opposition.

Division One leaders Rainhill Town suffered another blow with challengers Moorfield claiming the points after a tense league affair at Widnes.

Moorfield's 3-2 win has narrowed the lead at the head of table to a single point and they also have three games in hand.

Lymm Rangers continued their improved form with a 4-1 victory over free-scoring Silverbirch.

At the other end of the table, Grappenhall Sports' six-pointer with Avon Athletic was a tight affair, settled by Peter McCormack, Athletic's leading marksman.

He claimed both his team's goals in their narrow win, although Shaun Clemison had given Sports a lifeline.

Halton Borough had to rely on two penalties to ensure their share of the points in their tricky fixture with Division Two draw specialists Beechwood.

Beechwood had taken a two-goal lead, courtesy of Alex Pill and Bobby Hughes. Borough's first spot-kick had to be retaken before Mike Adams restored Beechwood's two-goal advantage.

Borough scrambled back with a deflected second goal to raise the stakes in the dying minutes.

Deep into injury time, Borough grabbed their equaliser from a disputed penalty.

Division Three's FC Trannie took advantage of their rivals' inactivity to close in at the top of the table - three teams now share poll.

Trannie's 4-2 win over struggling Village Social leaves them trailing only on goal difference, with Mill Brow and Appleton Arms also locked in the promotion race.