WITTON Albion could not take advantage of slip-ups by rivals ahead of them in the race for a play-offs place.

Carl Macauley’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Stafford Rangers, leaving them nine points adrift of fifth-placed Farsley Celtic in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight.

Steve Tames’ penalty, his 27th goal of the campaign, arrived too late after strikes from outside the area by Robert Thompson-Brown and Jack Sherratt had established a lead for Boro at Wincham Park.

Player-manager Lee Duckworth scored the only goal during Winsford United’s North West Counties League meeting with Maine Road, enabling Blues to put behind them the disappointment of a Cheshire FA Senior Cup semi-finals exit.

They host Widnes on Monday night in the first leg of a Macron Cup semi-finals tie.

Northwich Victoria followed a five-goal hammering at in-form Squires Gate on Thursday with another defeat – this time at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Tom Bailey and Joe Shaw were on target for the visitors at Townfield before Johnny Gorman halved the home team’s arrears.

Middlewich Town boosted their bid to be promoted to the Cheshire League’s Premier Division with a stunning comeback at Egerton.

Their hosts led 2-0 before Michael Evans pulled a goal back before the break.

He scored again in the second-half after Tom Rutter had levelled.

Josh Mainwaring scored twice for Cuddington when they brushed aside St Helens Town reserves in Cheshire League Two.

Dec Wilkinson, Adam Bettley, Nick Harvey and Ben Curbishley were on target too in a 6-1 win.

In the Crewe and District League’s match of the day, long-time leaders Barnton Wanderers won 4-1 away to Over 3 Grange.

They sit seven points clear of second-placed Club AZ with four matches left.

Joe Pointon’s double helped Winsford Saxons, the defending champions, to edge out Mary Dendy by the odd goal in seven.

Ste Hughes and Charlie Woodward both netted too.

Elsewhere Ben Chapman’s hat-trick was a highlight for Winnington Avenue 1994 in a 4-0 win at Sandbach Curshaws.

Sam Didsbury completed the scoring.

Results

Saturday, April 14

Northern Premier League

Premier Division: Altrincham 4-0 Barwell; Coalville 2-3 Marine; Farsley Celtic 0-2 Warrington; Halesowen 1-1 Ashton Utd; Mickleover 2-2 Buxton; Nantwich 1-2 Rushall; Shaw Lane 0-0 Lancaster (played at Lancaster City FC); Stourbridge 4-1 Stalybridge Celtic; Sutton Coldfield 4-1 Hednesford; Whitby 0-3 Matlock; Witton 1-2 Stafford; Workington 0-2 Grantham.

North West Counties League

Premier Division: Ashton Ath 0-2 Squires Gate; Barnoldswick 1-3 City of Liverpool; Charnock Richard 0-2 Runcorn Linnets; Maine Road 0-1 Winsford; Northwich Victoria 1-2 West Didsbury & Chorlton (at Barnton FC); Padiham 3-4 Congleton; Runcorn Town 1-0 AFC Liverpool.

Cheshire League

League One: Cheadle Town res 0-4 Halebank; Egerton 2-3 Middlewich; FC St Helens 5-1 Windle Labour; Garswood 1-0 Golborne; Mersey Valley 2-1 Styal; West Didsbury & Chorlton res 1-0 Daten.

League Two: Buxton res 0-2 Moore; St Helens Town res 1-6 Cuddington; Tarporley 0-11 Vulcan; Unicorn 1-0 Orford.

Reserves Division: Golborne 1-3 Poynton; Vulcan 2-3 Greenalls PSO.

Crewe and District League

Premier Division: Mary Dendy 3-4 Winsford Saxons; Over 3 Grange 1-4 Barnton Wanderers; Sandbach Curshaws 0-4 Winnington Ave 1994; Winnington Ave 0-4 Clock Tower.