LEAGUE action saw St Helens Town slump to the foot of the Premier Division table after being crushed 7-1 at third-placed New Mills.

Iain Dyson pulled a goal back for The Saints after The Millers had netted twice in the opening ten minutes.

The home side went on to confirm their superiority by scoring at regular intervals. It was a 13th defeat in 14 games in all competitions for St Helens.

Ashton Athletic recorded only their second victory in seven games, thanks to a injury-time winner from Neil Davies against Formby, who are now in 19th, just a point off the bottom.

The scoring for the home side had been opened by Kevin Kynaston, but matters were soon levelled by Formby’s Dave Thompson in very difficult conditions.

A five-goal thriller at The Barton Stadium went the way of Winsford United. They edged out Atherton Collieries 3-2 thanks to a late John Couch strike. Darren Connell and Lee Madin had earlier netted for The Blues but the goals had been cancelled out by a Craig Hoyland brace.

AFC Liverpool’s First Division game at Wigan Robin Park was postponed, with Ashton Town’s match at Eccleshall also a victim of the weather.

AFC Liverpool still lead the way with 30 points from 14 games, while second-placed Padiham have a game in hand. Bootle are in third with 27 points from 12 games.

RESULTS

Premier Division: Ashton Athletic 2 Formby 1; Atherton LR 2 Maine Road 5; Bacup Borough v Flixton - PP; Colne v Abbey Hey - PP; Congleton Town 3 Nelson 2; New Mills 7 St Helens Town 1; Newcastle Town 2 Silsden AFC 0; Squires Gate 3 Ramsbottom United 0; Winsford United 3 Atherton Collieries 2.

Division One: Holker OBs 2 Daisy Hill 0; Oldham Town 2 AFC Blackpool 0; All other matches in this league - PP.

FA Vase Third Round Proper: AFC Fylde 4 Runcorn Linnets 1; Glossop North End 2 Winterton Rangers 1; Long Eaton United 0 Bootle 1; Stone Dominoes 1 Nostell Miners Welfare 0.