HAVING just celebrated playing their 1,000th Vodkat League fixture troubled St Helens Town sadly slumped to the foot of the First Division table following a 3-1 defeat at Formby.
Adie Reilly gave The Saints a 15th-minute lead but Martin Wilson levelled on the stroke of half-time for The Squrrels.
The home side sealed victory with second-half strikes from Paul Lamb and a second from Wilson.
Inconsistent Runcorn Linnets slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Congleton Town with the league’s leading goalscorer, Matt Haddrell striking on the hour mark.
Winsford United lost their first away fixture of the season when beaten 3-1 at leaders Salford City. Lee Duckworth netted for the Blues.
Topsy-turvy Ashton Town also fell to defeat on their travels at Chadderton who recorded a comfortable 4-1 success. Phil Howard grabbed a late consolation for Town.
Vodkat League Challenge Cup action saw Bootle demolish Daisy Hill 7-0. A hat-trick from Andy Fowler, a brace from Paul Hopkins, a 12th-minute opener from Jamie Rainford along with a Naylor own goal earning a second round tie at either Ashton Athletic or Padiham who must replay after a 2-2 draw. In that game Athletic hearts were broken when the visitors struck in the last minute of normal time to force extra-time and then again with the last kick of the game to snatch a replay. Paul McVeigh and Chris Almond had earlier given Athletic the lead.
RESULTS: The Vodkat League Division One: Atherton Collieries 2 Colne 3, Flixton 1 Bacup Borough 0, Formby 3 St Helens Town 1, Glossop North End 1 Ramsbottom United 0, Maine Road 4 Squires Gate 1, Nelson 0 Abbey Hey 3, Newcastle Town 6 Atherton LR 0, Runcorn Linnets 0 Congleton Town 1, Salford City 3 Winsford United 1, Silsden AFC 0 Trafford 6. Division Two:Chadderton 4 Ashton Town 1, Cheadle Town 3 Castleton Gabriels 3, Darwen 4 Eccleshall 2. The Vodkat League Challenge Cup Round One: Ashton Athletic 2 Padiham 2 (aet, 90 mins 101, replay Wednesday, October 24), Blackpool Mechanics 1 Norton United 2, Bootle 7 Daisy Hill 0, Holker Old Boys 0 New Mills 2, Kirkham & Wesham 3 Leek CSOB 2. Stafford County FA Vase Round One: Norton 1 Stone Dominoes (aet, 90 mins 1-1, Stone Dominoes win 4-2 on penalties).
