ATHERTON Town completed a seven day double over rivals Pennington, following a 4-0 home win with a 2-0 away victory at the weekend.

With an unbeaten run now stretching back 13 games, Town have moved into second place in the Premier Division table and have never been better placed to clinch the Manchester League's top title.

Three points separate the Howe Bridge outfit from current leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs with one game in hand. This latest result, however, leaves Pennington stuck next to bottom in the listing with relegation clouds gathering.

Phil Hornby scored Town's first, and his 17th of the season, following good work by Daniel Christie, who also set up fellow former Pennington man Neil Lewis to volley into the top corner for the second.

Those two goals came in the opening 20 minutes with Town prevented from adding more by sterling work in the home goal by Peter Doohan. Scott Hodson, in an unaccustomed midfield role, won the Leighton Packaging man of the match award.

Town's Reserves beat Dukinfield Town 1-0 at home courtesy of a Chris Garvey goal to stay top of Division Two, while Pennington's second team won 5-1 at Stand.

Leigh Athletic still set the pace in Division One following a 2-1 win at Milton. The home side dominated the opening 20 minutes but Latics defence was superbly marshalled by Darren Barclay and Brian Edwards. Johnny Knowles made the most of his opportunity to show what he can do in the first team with a run from the halfway line and quality finish on 35 minutes. Craig Little bagged the second with a first time strike following a long kick from the keeper. Edwards was named man of the match.

Hindsford's home clash with form team Belden erupted six minutes from time and was abandoned by the referee. An altercation between two players saw both being booked but the situation got out of control as a Belden player headbutted a Hindsford opponent. The match official took the decision that further play was impossible.

The result will stand leaving Hindsford still in title contention, goals coming from Dan Toone, following good work by Stuart Lomax, and a 75th minute absolute beauty from Craig Briggs who measured his shot from fully 45 yards having spotted the keeper off his line. Left back Tony Brown was named as man of the match.

Tomorrow Town entertain one of their major title rivals with East Manchester the visitors and will also be hoping the Pennington can do them a favour away to Stand Athletic. Hindsford travel away to an Old Alts side given a 13-0 thumping by Breightmet United last Saturday while Leigh Athletic contest a place in the final of the Murray Shield with form team New Mills the visitors to Madeley Park, kick off 2pm.