ST HELENS TOWN finally returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4-1 thrashing of sixth-placed Silsden AFC.
Vinny Freeman opened the scoring on nine minutes but Adam Hollindrake soon levelled. The Mitchell brothers took control during the second period with Phil netting a brace and Graeme sealing Town’s first victory in 15 games.
Formby are perilously close to the bottom position that has been vacated by St Helens following a 1-0 home defeat by Bacup Borough.
Winsford United slumped to their 10th defeat when visitors Nelson hammered five without reply.
Ashton Athletic overcame a very heavy pitch to record a 3-1 success over Abbey Hey, Dave Sherlock, Chris Lawton and Paul Hynds netting.
Runcorn Linnets suffered a late postponement at Flixton.
AFC Liverpool maintained their narrow one-point lead at the head of Division One following a 2-1 defeat of Cheadle Town, Ryan Wignall and Ian Sheridan both finding the target.
Three points behind are Bootle, who recovered from a goal down at struggling AFC Blackpool to register a 3-1 success. A brace from Andy Fowler, with a third from Danny O’Connor, secured the points and set up a mouth-watering clash with the league leaders next weekend.
The Vodkat League Premier Division: Ashton Athletic 3 Abbey Hey 1; Atherton Collieries 0 Alsager Town 1; Colne 0 Glossop North End 5; Formby 0 Bacup Borough 1; Maine Road 0 Ramsbottom United 1; New Mills 1 Congleton Town 0; Newcastle Town 1 Squires Gate 1; St Helens Town 4 Silsden AFC 1; Winsford United 0 Nelson 5.
Division One: AFC Blackpool 1 Bootle 3; AFC Liverpool 2 Cheadle Town 1; Eccleshall 2 Darwen 0; Holker Old Boys 1 Padiham 4; Irlam 5 Chadderton 0; Leek CSOB 2 Daisy Hill 2; Oldham Town 2 Norton United 0
