WITTON Albion's hopes of promotion to Division One as champions now depend on Lostock Gralam.
If the Grey Lambs draw or beat second-placed Penketh-Sankey on Saturday then Witton Reserves will win the Second Division; defeat and they will be runners-up.
Albion ended their own campaign by enjoying a sixth successive win.
Malpas had former Albion centre-forward Tommy Lloyd, their manager, between the sticks and he was certainly kept busy throughout.
First-teamer Ryan Baker created the first goal for Leon Williams, who then left Lloyd stranded with a 30-yarder to double his account before the break. Mike Cartner grabbed a brace within 10 minutes of the re-start to end the game as a contest. Daten 2 Barnton 3: Barnton hit back from two goals down.
They were twice hit early on by Daten but scored a vital goal before the interval through Phil Jones.
After getting a foothold, they went on to dominate the second half and added further goals from Craig Marshall and Justin Farrelly.
'The wind spoiled the game but I was pleased by the way we came back,' said boss Carl Armitage.
Barnton's heavy programme took its toll in midweek and they played the opening 25 minutes of the game with only 10 men.
'I could tell it was going to be one of those nights,' said Armitage. Styal 0 Middlewich Town 1: Rash refereeing decisions ruined the game.
Both teams had a man undeservedly sent off and the red cards were accompanied by a cluster of yellows.
Joey Roberts volleyed home a Martin Faulkner free kick after 20 minutes but was dismissed just before the break for an innocuous push. A Styal player was sent off for committing a foul as the last defender, though others were covering the Middlewich attack. Tonight: One - Barnton v Middlewich; Thursday: Two - Cheadle Town v Lostock Gralam; Saturday: Two - Penketh-Sankey v Lostock.
