STRUGGLING Castrol produced an inspired display to hold title challengers Christleton at the weekend.
The Oilmen formed a strong rearguard action to frustrate the Chester-based side and claim a 0-0 draw. The result lifts them off the foot of the table.
At the top of the league, Vauxhall Motors Reserves took advantage of a slip by Heswall to assume top spot in WCL Division One.
Goals from Chris Killen, Dean Robinson and Dean Buckley secured a 3-3 draw, while reigning champions Heswall suffered a 1-0 defeat against New Brighton.
Castrol Social moved off the foot of the table by holding title contenders Christleton to a 0-0 draw.
Local rivals Ellesmere Port also had cause for celebration after chalking up a 2-1 win against Mond Rangers courtesy of Neil Shepherd and Simon Donoghue.
The big game in Division Two saw title-chasing Capenhurst Villa come unstuck at home to Willaston, despite scoring through Paul O'Donnell and James Fletcher.
A 3-2 reversal thanks to goals from Jimmy Hilditch, Carl Dunbar and James Clare cost Cape top spot but enabled the fourth-placed visitors to make up valuable ground on the leading trio.
Willaston are now seven points adrift of second-placed Capen-hurst with two games in hand.
In Division Three, Grange Athletic's fixture with New Brighton Reserves was postponed while Capenhurst Villa's second string came good, with a fine 2-1 win at Shaftesbury. Chris McNeill bagged both goals to elevate Villa to sixth place in the table.
Saturday morning's Youth Division action saw Kirk Mort find the net for Castrol Social, but his effort was in vain as New Brighton posted a 4-1 win thanks to strikes from James Harris (2), Jake Hughes and Gary Winders.
West Cheshire representatives Poulton Vics and Ashville had mixed fortunes in their FA Vase second qualifying-round ties.
Vics came a cropper at home to Parkgate and, despite a goal from Ian Burrows, lost 3-1. But Ashville pulled off a 3-1 win at North West Counties Division One Silsden. Dave McDermott, Syd Mort and Dave Bennett were on target.
The pick of this Saturday's Pyke Cup first-round ties sees a local derby with Ellesmere Port playing host to Castrol Social, in what promises to be a close-fought contest with both sides now running into a vein of form. While in Division One, leaders Vauxhall Motors Reserves will be looking to consolidate their position at the expense of Runcorn Town (formerly Mond Rangers).
Elsewhere, Capenhurst Villa take on Ashville Reserves in the West Cheshire Bowl first round.
