IN THE Blue Square Bet Conference, Southport almost bagged all three points at second-placed Fleetwood Town but in the end had to settle for one.

Tony Gray’s header on 13 minutes gave Liam Watson’s men a great start, but the home side were level barely five minutes later through an Andy Mangan penalty.

A 10-yard shot from Gray restored Port’s lead early in the second period and shortly after Fleetwood were reduced to 10 men when Jamie Maguire received a second yellow card. However, Port could not make the advantage count and Richard Brodie netted an equaliser two minutes from time.

In the Blue Square Bet North, Vauxhall Motors earned a useful three points thanks to Kevin Holsgrove’s last-minute goal against Colwyn Bay.

Marine enjoyed the bragging rights against rivals Burscough as they completed a 4-0 win at the struggling West Lancashire team in their Evo-Stik League Premier Division encounter. Neil Harvey hit a double for the Mariners with Aaron Rey and Matty Brown also on target.

Elsewhere in the division, leaders Chester FC were held to a 1-1 draw at Northwich Victoria. Wesley Baynes gave Chester the lead after 13 minutes, only for Ryan Wade to level on 77 minutes.

In the Evo-Stik League First Division North, Prescot Cables dented Skelmersdale United’s title aspirations by inflicting a 2-1 defeat. Aaron Bowen put Skem ahead with only four minutes on the watch, but goals from John Couch seven minutes later and James McCulloch right on half-time gave Cables the win.

Meantime, Warrington Town fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Witton Albion – Chris Gahgan and Anthony Sheehan with a penalty the men on the mark for the visitors while Cammell Laird shared a goalless draw with Mossley.

In the North West Counties League’s Premier Division, the much-anticipated and historic first competitive derby between Runcorn Town and Runcorn Linnets went the way of Town, 3-2

Town’s James McShane hit a brace with team-mate Daniel Dalton adding the other. The Linnets’ goals came via Rob Whyte and Paul Prescott.

St Helens Town lost 4-0 at Ashton Athletic, while Bootle eased to a 3-0 home success over Merseyside rivals AFC Liverpool. Kevin Black scored two penalties with Darren Byers also scoring.

In the North West Counties League’s First Division, early strikes from Michael White and Matthew Jones saw Formby earn a much-needed 2-0 triumph at Ashton Town.