DIVISION Two leaders Merseyside Police paid Upton AA a visit on Saturday but went home empty handed as the Chester outfit pulled off the result of the day.

Mark Thompson, Andy Lloyd and Stuart Denham netted in a superb 3-2 victory, which came as a timely boost for local promotion hopefuls Blacon YC.

Blacon enhanced their chances of a return to the top flight after man-of-the-match Matty McQuillan bagged both goals in the 2-0 win at second-placed Cammell Laird Reserves, and with third-placed New Brighton also losing, things couldn't have gone better on the day for the Chester side.

At the other end of the table, defeats for Capenhurst Villa and Willaston eased the pressure on relegation candidates Christleton Reserves, who had no game.

In Division One, despite goals from Derek Rogers and Chris Herbert, Christleton's first team lost ground in the championship race after they were beaten 5-2 at home by title rivals Cammell Laird, Ronnie Morgan (3) and Ian Cooke obliging for the visitors.

Leaders Newton, who have not finished above Lairds for the past 30 years, kept their noses in front after efforts from Brendan Helm and Tony Gray secured a 2-1 result against Aintree Villa.

Division Three promotion challengers Chester Nomads remain poised for any slip-up by second-placed West Kirby Reserves after winning 5-0 at Capenhurst Villa Reserves, Cutler (2) Powell, Kerr and Riley finding the net. Local rivals MBNA forfeited ground in the promotion race after losing 4-2 at West Kirby. Paul Hallows hit both goals for the visitors with Owen Davies (2), Ged McWhia and Peter McNay on the mark for the winners.

After months of suffering, St Werburgh's have now found out what it's like to win again with two victories on the trot. On Saturday, Saints enjoyed a 2-0 decision over neighbours Upton AA Reserves thanks to efforts from Danny Radford and Wally Dodd, but it's still an uphill battle for the bottom club to avoid having to seek re-election.

Midweek action saw Heswall give an excellent account of themselves before going down to Barnton in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup semi-final, 3-1 in extra time.