DOM Johnson believes Lostock Gralam’s position at the top of the table gives opponents an added incentive to beat them.

The Grey Lambs bowed out of the JA Walton Challenge Cup at the semi-finals stage last weekend after League One rivals Moore United left Park Stadium as victors by a single goal.

Ash Chester was their match-winner.

“It was disappointing,” said Lostock’s co-manager.

“Everybody that plays against us wants to beat us and Moore were no different – they were really up for it.

“We conceded a sloppy goal and they made it hard for us after that by hanging on.”

Chester struck in the ninth minute after Jordan Rudge teed him up, his shot trickling past goalkeeper Jack Burton.

Lostock turn their attention back to a race for promotion on Saturday when Blacon Youth, their closest-rivals for the title, are due in town.

The Grey Lambs are six points better off than guests who have described the game as ‘must-win’ if they are to keep alive hopes of finishing first.

Johnson added: “We’ve got to dust ourselves down and refocus.”

Cuddington were not at their best but were still too strong for hosts Mersey Valley in a League Two fixture.

Manager Gaz Harwood was forced to make five changes to a team that had shocked Premier Division outfit Billinge in the President’s Cup seven days earlier and it showed.

Cuddy moved in front when Callum Payne skipped around the goalkeeper before rolling in his side’s 100th goal of the campaign.

They did not settle the outcome until Max Linaker struck late on after winning a challenge with the hosts’ number one.

“That’s probably the worst we’ve played all season,” reflected Harwood.

“But the three points are all that matter.”

A four-match run without losing for Middlewich Town’s reserves came to an end when they were beaten 3-0 by Garswood A in the Reserves Division.

Substitutes Clayton Beattie and Kieran Welding were both on target for the visitors to Seddon Street along with Curtis Houghton.

In the Crewe and District League’s top-flight, Winsford Saxons were gifted three points by Clock Tower after the Northwich team conceded for a fourth time in their past five fixtures.

Barnton Wanderers, the defending champions, edged out Tarporley Victoria by the odd goal in nine while Winsford outfit Over 3 Grange went down 2-0 at unbeaten leaders Madeley White Star.

Results

Saturday, April 6

Cheshire League

Premier Division: Billinge 3-1 FC St Helens; Malpas 5-1 Greenalls PSO; Pilkington 6-0 Egerton; Whaley Bridge 0-1 Crewe.

League One: Broadheath Central 2-2 Golborne; Orford 0-1 Windle Labour; Winstanley 5-1 Styal.

League Two: Cheadle Heath res 4-3 Cheadle Town res; Holmes Chapel 3-5 Ashton Ath res; Mersey Valley 0-2 Cuddington; Rylands res 0-2 Sandbach Utd res.

Reserves Division: Broadheath Central 0-4 Eagle; FC St Helens 2-4 Poynton; Golborne 0-3 Greenalls PSO; Middlewich 0-3 Garswood A; Moore 3-3 Billinge; Styal 4-1 Daten; Vulcan 4-1 Winstanley.

Crewe and District League

Premier Division: Barnton Wanderers 5-4 Tarporley; Clock Tower conceded to Winsford Saxons; Madeley White Star 2-0 Over 3 Grange.