UPTON AA's battle to preserve their league's Division One status was boosted in Saturday’s fine 5-0 result at fellow strugglers Southport Trinity.

Nathan Mapletoft scored four times as the Chester-based side bagged their fifth win of the season.

Local rivals Blacon YC, currently second from bottom in the table, travelled to bottom club Ashville and pulled off an excellent 2-0 win.

Despite taking the lead through a Jim Heath free kick, West Kirby fell foul of current leaders South Liverpool who came back strongly and emerged 4-2 victors thanks to efforts from Ally Woodcock (2), Kevin Martin and Gary Pollard.

In Division Two, Richmond MAGS deprived Heswall of their unbeaten record and leapfrogged the latter into second place after a Paul Gouthwaite brace earned a 4-2 win.

Kieran Hughes opened the scoring for Bebington Athletic before Prescot Cables Reserves’ Daley Gibiliru and Sam Gifford inflicted their 17th defeat of the season.

A John Pomfret double had Ashville Reserves in the driving seat at Redgate Rovers, but the hosts came back to share the points, thanks to a brace from Mike Brown.

Willaston were indebted to goals from Billy New, Dean Jones and Ashley Male for their 3-2 victory over Gateacre Village.

Two goals from Brian Edwards guided Vauxhall Motors Reserves to a 3-1 victory over West Kirby Res.

Division Three action saw Bootle Reserves finish 2-2 with Neston Nomads, and that allowed leaders Kirkby Town Railway to steam five points ahead at the top after Josh Naylor, Rick Artrey,Dean Kenny and John Egerton obliged in a 4-1 win over Everton PLH.