A DAVID Brown hat-trick, a Stuart Pickup strike and Chris Stanley own goal gave Courts a 5-0 home win over Three Crowns B to go two points clear at the top of Division Two.

Leaders going into the weekend, Howe Bridge Mills, were held to a 1-1 home draw by Asda Golborne, David Hogan levelling on the stroke of half time after Darren Evans had given the visitors the lead on 32 minutes.

John McNally scored twice, Jason Halliday, Phil Pennington and Paul Jones once and a Mike O'Brien own goal saw Fir Tree Rangers to a 6-1 home win over Bowling Green. The visitors' goal was also a blooper, Danny Rushworth putting through his own net.

Kersal Vale stride on in Division One and remain three points clear after John Smith (2) and Scott Flynn goals earned a 3-1 home win over Royal Oak, Stuart Gaskell getting the reply.

Off the pace

Defending champions Higher Folds slipped further off the pace as Mick Shepherd and Neil Unsworth strikes earned Three Crowns A a 2-0 win.

Steve Marsh was the day's top scorer with four in Moonrakers, 9-2 home romp over Limelight. Further goals came from Scott Mulcrow (2), Simon Whittaker, Steve Anderton and Dean Pitchford. Nigel Cooper got both for the losers.

A Paul Hook goal in the 90th minute completed an amazing fightback for George VI in a 3-2 home win over Leigh Avenue. Earlier the visitors had twice taken the lead through Jason Carter and Dave Wilcox with the home side bouncing back through Aaron Green and Stuart McPike. Mick Wilde and Paul Donlan scored hat-tricks, Ryan Shaw got two in two minutes and Mark Smith and Andy Cathcart a goal each in second placed Rope & Anchor's 9-2 home victory over FC Legion, Mick Barrington and Neil Thompson getting the replies.