DEFENDER Tony Davies snatched a last-minute winner to seal the derby day spoils for Marine on Saturday.

Facing Burscough in the UniBond League Premier Division at the Arriva Stadium, Kevin Lynch’s Mariners came from behind to secure their second win in three games while leaving the Linnets looking nervously over their shoulders at the drop zone.

Gary McEvatt opened the scoring in the seventh minute for Burscough and Andy Gray’s men held onto the lead until half-time – but eight minutes into the second half Marine’s Steve Hussey, a former Burscough player, equalised with a vicious shot which cannoned in off the bar before Davies grabbed the dramatic late header.

Burscough will look to put the disappointment of Saturday’s derby defeat behind them when they travel to Kendal Town tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, in the Blue Square North Southport had no game over the weekend due to Workington’s involvement in the FA Trophy but were nevertheless handed a boost in their bid for the title.

Leaders Fleetwood Town suffered a shock 2-0 loss at relegation-threatened Gainsborough Trinity leaving them just six points ahead of the Sandgrounders who now have three games in hand.

Port are next in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Leyland to face Lancaster City in the Lancashire Co-operative Challenge Trophy semi-final.

Skelmersdale United dropped to fourth in the UniBond League First Division after a surprise 4-1 defeat to AFC Fylde.

United’s Aaron Turner scored a last-minute consolation for Tommy Lawson’s troops who will now hope to pick up their title charge on Wednesday night at promotion-chasing Leigh Genesis.

Fylde next face Prescot Cables tomorrow with the Valerie Park side looking to make amends for Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Warrington Town.

In the First Division South, Cammell Laird had a Shaun Tuck strike nine minutes from time to thank for their win over Quorn.

Meanwhile, Bootle’s reward for a fine 3-0 Vodkat League Challenge Cup win at Irlam is a quarter-final tie at home to Premier Division leaders Newcastle Town.

Strikes from Andrew Bailey (15), Andy Fowler (70) and Chris Tyson (80) gave the Bucks a passage to the last eight where St Helens Town will face Wigan Robin Park. Town were in Premier Division action on Saturday, defeating Bacup Borough 3-0 thanks to goals from Scully, Dyson and an own goal.

AFC Liverpool will not be joining St Helens and Bootle in the quarter-finals after they lost their third round replay 2-0 at home to Glossop North End.

Formby had yet another game called off over the weekend when a waterlogged pitch forced their fixture at home to Silsden to be rearranged whilst a frozen pitch put paid to Runcorn Linnets’ match at Alsager Town.

In the Blue Square North, Vauxhall Motors’ point at promotion chasing Droylsden was not enough to lift them from the bottom of the table. Chris Lane gave the Motormen a 34th-minute lead before Shaun Whalley equalised.

Vauxhall now have 21 points from their 30 games and face another crunch relegation match tomorrow when they go to Brian Little’s Gainsborough Trinity, fresh from that surprise 2-0 win over leaders Fleetwood Town.