BOOTLE returned to winning ways in The Vodkat League with a welcome 2-0 success at a rain sodden Colne.

Goals at either end of the game from Anthony Hickey who opened the scoring on three minutes and Mark Kilroy who netted on 87 minutes sealed the points as the New Bucks Park side ended a run of defeats.

St Helens Town also recorded the same winning margin when defeating bottom of the table Abbey Hey, a Mike Scully brace ensuring the Saints success.

Winsford United arrested their slide down the league table winning by the odd goal in five against a struggling Ashton Athletic.

A third minute Josh Hancock goal opened the scoring for United, but this was cancelled out 30 minutes later when Matthew Hampson levelled.

The visitors’ joy was short-lived when Mike Brandon restored the Blues lead on the stroke of half time.

Simon Everall increased his side’s lead on the hour mark before a Paul Prescott strike set up a nail-biting finale.

First Division Trophy holders AFC Liverpool are having to defend the title the hard way. Due to the lack of a ground, their Second Round tie was switched to Holker Old Boys but this proved to be only a minor handicap as they established a three goal lead in the opening hour after Ian Orme, John Kennedy and Matt Williams all found the target.

Steve Forbes netted a consolation for the Cumbrians but the Reds progressed and now face a difficult Quarter Final trip to the winners of the postponed Leek CSOB/Wigan Robin Park tie.

Ashton Town fell behind early on and bowed out of the same competition with a 3-1 defeat at Stone Dominoes, Steve Edwards netting for Town. Games involving both Formby and Runcorn Linnets were victims of the weather.