LEE GUIRADO scored what proved to be the winner for his Upton AA side as they held out for a 1-0 home win over Maghull in Division One of the West Cheshire League.

The win takes Upton up to tenth in the table, and to within just three points of Ellesmere Port Town in fifth with at least two games in hand.

Speaking after the win that followed last week’s Cheshire Amateur Cup quarter final success over Altrincham Reserves, Upton boss Todd Reid said: “Looking at results elsewhere, it proved to be a massive result for us.

“We got a win and a clean sheet against a very good, big and strong Maghull team. It was a real battle, and we showed great character to get the points.

“I’m very pleased with Lee (Guirado) getting his 16th of the season, after he got on the end of a lovely free kick from Alex Smith. He’ll always score you goals, and he’s learning after each game.”

Elsewhere in the division, third placed Chester Nomads moved to within two points of the league leaders South Liverpool with a comprehensive 5-0 victory at Neston Nomads.

Charlie Mann scored twice in the rout, while Jack Delgado, Charlie Jones and Ed Moss also netted for the visitors who capitalised on draws by the two sides above them.

It wasn’t as good of a result for Chester Nomads Reserves, though, as the Division Three strugglers fell to their second successive 4-0 defeat.

The Nomads’ defeat to third placed Bootle Reserve (West Cheshire) coupled with a 4-2 win for Ellesmere Port Town Reserves mean Chester slip down to 14th.

Blacon Youth Club bounced back from last week’s narrow 1-0 reverse to league leaders Congleton VR with a strong 3-1 home success over Altrincham Reserves.

The win takes Blacon up to eighth in the Cheshire Football League Premier Division, six points off Altrincham in fourth with six games in hand.

Meanwhile, in Division Two, Newton Athletic were brought back down to earth as their return to league action after a successful cup run resulted in a 3-1 defeat at Partington Village.

Nathan Evans scored the consolation goal for a Newton side who drop down to fifth.