JASON Ashton called the shots in the Revidge Cannon over his home course of Blackburn.

And it put him on target to challenge for a top finish in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit.

Ashton opened with a one under par 70, highlighted by an eagle two at the 296-yard eighth but trailed pace-maker Ian Mellor, from Swinton Park, by three strokes.

Mellor could not maintain the momentum and was 10 shots worse off in the afternoon when Ashton compiled a 68, featuring six birdies, to prevail by two from Lancashire County player Ian Hill, of Fairhaven.

Clitheroe's Mark Ashworth continued his fine form with a second round 68 to put him fourth along with Steve McGlynn.

Rounds of 72 and 70 on his home course will give MGlynn confidence ahead of Tuesday's ELGA Boys Championship at Burnley, a title he won in 2003.

Steven also took the family bragging right from dad Mark, who finished five shots back after a 76 and an excellent 71.

Accrington's Ian Hardman was also in good nick with 143 over two rounds, with Mark Whittaker of Rossendale a shot behind on 144.

The overall picture in the Northern Order of Merit table suggests it won't be heading back to East Lancashire as it did in 2004.

Reigning champion Michael Hunt is not figuring this year because he's hardly played in any events, leaving Hardman as the area's leading golfer on 205 points.

He's 140 points behind leader Bob Bardlsey of Denton, who is only holding a 10-point lead after 16 rounds from Sand Moor's John Sheehy.

With Kevin Kean and Garry Boardman also within 25 points of Bardsley, the race for the title is set to be much more hotly contested than last season when Hunt ran away with it.

Ben Scott from Burnley is one place behind Boardman in eighth on 200 points while Ashton's victory puts him on 150.

He's level with Trevor Foster, whose total was boosted by the Acorn Trophy victory on his home course a week earlier.

Revidge Cannon scores: 138 Jason Ashton (Blackburn) 70,68; 140 Ian Hill (Fairhaven) 71,69; 142 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 74,68, Steve McGlynn (Blackburn) 72,70; 143 Alan Squires (Oldham) 74,69, Ian Hardman (Accrington) 72,71, David Corsby (Fleetwood) 71,72; 144 Mark Whittaker (Rossendale) 74,70; 146 Garry Boardman (Castle Hawk) 75,71, Craig Fort (Nelson) 72,74, Ian Mellor (Swinton Park)

67,79; 147 Mark McGlynn (Blackburn) 76,71.