TABLE-TOPPING Kirkby Lonsdale have opened a six points cushion at the head of the league thanks to a 4-1 crushing of basement boys Arnside.

But it wasn't quite as straightforward as the scoreline suggests for the new title favourites - for Arnside led for almost an hour of a highly competitive game.

Jack Hawcroft scored for the underdogs from a corner in the opening five minutes and Arnside fought a valiant rearguard action until Brian Pennington and Chris Vincent scored a brace apiece to end the resistance in a 10-minutes spell midway through the second half.

Squires stay in third place following a 3-1 win over Westgate Wanderers with goal courtesy of Lee Fox, Neil Thompson and Dave Graham, with John Boothroyd hitting the Wanderers reply.

And surprise package Morecambe Royals move into fourth by virtue of a hard-fought 2-1 win over struggling Boys Club.

The Lancaster team were the better team in the first half, took the lead with a strike from Shane Ogley and should have been further ahead as a string of chances came and went.

But Royals levelled against the run of play just before half time - Adam Mason scoring - and then upped the pace to score the winner through Dave Riley in the second period.

The top game in Division One saw leaders Torrisholme share the points after a 1-1 draw by City Contract Services, Paul Bowker netting for the works side and Dave Horay levelling.

And there was also a draw beaten two more of the sides pushing for promotion - Community Sports and Vine sharing six goals.

Down in the lower reaches of the league, Division Three leaders Carnforth Rangers maintained their record as the last team with a 100 per cent record, making it 10 wins on the bounce with a 2-0 stroll against Boys Club Res.

Results -

Premier Division: Cartmel 3 Caton Utd 0, Kirkby Lonsdale 4 Arnside 1, Marsh Utd 1 Slyne with Hest 1, Morecambe Royals 2 Boys Club 1, Squires 3 Westgate Wanderers 1.

Division One: Allithwaite Rangers 2 Burton Thistle 0, City Contract Services 1 Torrisholme 1, Ingleton Res 7 Holme Ath 0, Slyne Res 3 Millhead 1, Vine 3 Community Sports 3.

Division Two: Arnside Res 0 Halton Rangers 3, Grange 2 Freehold 1, Westgate Rangers 5 Swarthmoor Res 3. League Cup: Fylde 3 Morecambe Hoops 1.

Division Three: Boys Club Res 0 Carnforth Rangers 2, Gregson 2 Central Pier 6, Millhead Res 2 Moorlands 2. League Cup: Pendle Dynamos 1 Trimpell 2.

Furness FA Junior Cup: Crooklands Casuals 1 Swarthmoor 2.

Westmorland FA Junior Cup: Wetheriggs Res 5 Burton Thistle Res 0.

Squires Snooker Centre Cup: Caton Res 4 Grange Res 0, Galgate Res 7 Kirkby Lonsdale Rangers 1.