Last updated at 12:47, Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Howard Rangers recovered from last week’s shock defeat at Raffles to sink Warwick Wanderers 5-0 and keep in the Second Division title race.

Hit by illness to regulars Chris Lowe and leading scorer Wayne Kingston manager Steve McCubbing was forced to call up 18-year-old newcomer Steve Mallinson who soon showed his mettle banging in a hat-trick while Aiden Hanley and Kevin Hewitson added the others.

Leaders St Bedes kept championship hopes on course by beating Bush Inn 4-2. Dave Peacock notched a brace helped by Gary Milne and Mark Temple.

Beehive fell further adrift in the battle for survival after losing 6-1 at home to Longtown who found the net through Dave Steele and Andrew Warwick with two apiece, Jamie Thompson and Ross Martin.

New signing Matty Bell netted for the losers.

Fats dropped vital promotion points after being held 2-2 by Corby Bridge who missed a penalty.

Upperby MI’s new manager Mark Neale got off to a satisfactory start at Hammonds where his side hammered rock-bottom Shoulder of Mutton 10-1. Tony Cameron and Charlie Skinner both notched hat-tricks helped by Steve Reid (2), Scott McArthur and Andrew Porter. Hard working Dan Timmins replied for the losers who only had ten men.

Etterby helped by an inspired display by keeper Mike Cair gained three vital Third Division points by overcoming Ex-Servicemen 23-1 but they are still seven points adrift of safety with seven games still to play. Dan Megahy scored on his debut and Craig Hayward claimed the other. Paul Beattie replied.

Danny Black (2) and Louis Gallagher were on target for Upperby Park in their 3-1 victory over St Aidan’s whose response came from Dave Murphy. Park’s defence suffered considerable pressure at times and were thankful for the efforts of veterans Brian Black, Paul Graham and Paul Telford preventing Aidan’s making headway.

FC Royal Scot 3-1 up at home to Walkabout at the turn through Stuart Robinson (2) and Mark Glaister allowed their opponents to claw their way back to 3-3. The visitors marksmen were Martin Shepherd (2) and Duncan Raybould.

In the Fourth Division strikes by Will Gray, Mark Dunglinson and Andy Rogerson earned Dalston Old Boys a 3-0 success at Harraby Inn.

Moorhouse and Border Reiver shared ten goals in an ill-tempered game with a Moorhouse player receiving his marching orders.

Kyle Richardson (2), Chris Baty (2) and Jamie Atkinson were on target for Moorhouse while Chris James (3), Marcus Beattie and Ben Crabtree made up Reiver’s tally

Aaron Taylor’s goal for holders Portland in their County Cup tie against Brampton was enough to earn them a semi-final place.

Wigton Stocksman went out 4-2 to Red Lion and Royal Scot crashed 7-1 at Cleator Moor Celtic.

In the only Premiership game played Redfern were 4-1 winners at Wetheral.

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk