MERSEY ROYAL’S dream of lifting the West Cheshire League’s Division One title for the first time moved a step closer after Kieran Cartwright’s second goal of the game on 90 minutes secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Aintree Villa.

Despite efforts from Josh Maldon and Tommy Johnstone, Ashville lost ground after they finished 2-2 with Mossley Hill while Bootle St. Edmunds cranked up their challenge, when Stewy Jackson, Mark Madden and John Howard shared the goals in a 3-1 victory over Newton.

A Louis Moss effort and a own goal failed to prevent Chester Nomads from losing 3-2 to Maghull.

Danny Dixon’s double and Nathan Jonston gave Heswall a 3-0 win at Ellesmere Port Town while Capenhurst Villa’s title hopes went into reverse, after they lost 3-1 to Rainhill Town.

Dan Lewis netted for Marshalls but it was visitors Vauxhall Motors Reserves who profited by a 4-1 scoreline with goals from Kieran Fair (2), Connor Courtnell and Zarek Urrutia.

Division Two leaders Marine U23’s fell behind to a 58th minute individual effort from Mallaby’s Danny McLoughlin, but made better use of the blustery conditions in the latter stages, and emerged 3-1 victors.

Third-placed Helsby, with efforts from Sam Bailey (2), Lee Turkington and Jordan Cunningham, stayed in contention after beating Poulton Vics 4-0 but Runcorn Sports suffered a 3-2 defeat at Ashville Reserves.

Division Three’s match of the day brought together unbeaten leaders, Sutton Athletic, and nearest rivals, Poulton Royal.

The honours went to Sutton who won 2-1 thanks to goals from Joe Whittle and Connor Doyle. The win put them 14 points clear. Ryan Slater netted the hosts’ consolation.

Third placed Bootle Reserves failed to capitalise after a smart double from Neston Nomads’ Cam Meadows sealed the points.

A solitary strike from Matty Watson was enough for Capenhurst Villa Reserves to deny Aintree Villa Reserves and it was celebration time for Poulton Vics Reserves’ Jacob McLaughlin (2), Tommy Breslin, Jay Thomas and Liam Whelan in a 5-1 thrashing of West Kirby Reserves, whose reply came from Peter Brown.

In the Youth Division, Vauxhall Motors opened up a nine point lead at the top as Harley Williams, Cal Hill and Jamie Gann hit the target in a 3-0 victory over BRNESC.