MIDDLEWICH Town will be encouraged after an improved performance secured a deserved share of the spoils from a meeting with Premier Division leaders Altrincham reserves.

A visiting defender deflected the ball into his own goal after Callum Priestley helped on Jack Barnett’s corner in the first-half.

Ben Elliott levelled after the interval before Town defender Scott Twite was sent off after tangling with an opponent.

READ > How Middlewich players banished doubts with improved display

The Witches looked more likely to win though and went closest when Dean Burgess’ header was cleared off the line.

Lostock Gralam chalked up an impressive 11th straight win in League One when they prevailed away to Golborne.

Myles Wady’s double was the highlight in a 3-1 victory that also featured an opening goal from the boot of Charlie Hatton.

They Grey Lambs sit second in the table, six points adrift of leaders Broadheath but with three games in hand.

Cuddington brought to an end a four-match run without a victory when they thrashed League Two leaders Ashton Athletic reserves.

Ben Curbishley’s close-range effort established an interval lead before substitute Josh Mainwaring curled a second.

Jack Glimond added to his side’s lead when he converted from Karl Felton’s corner before the visitors scrambled a goal of their own.

Nathan Harwood dispatched a penalty after Max Linaker had been pushed over before Danny Hancock’s header directed another Felton flag-kick into the net to make it 5-1.

Ashton punished a defensive error when they scored again before Linaker added a final flourish for Cuddy after Mainwaring’s raking pass had sent him clear.

Middlewich reserves demonstrated their resolve to reach the Reserves Division Challenge Cup final at the expense of their Billinge counterparts.

Matt Cann’s equaliser replied to Joseph Stanley’s first-half opener for the hosts and the teams could not be separated inside 90 minutes.

They had missed one spot-kick apiece before Town goalkeeper Kieran Barrett saved Billinge’s fifth attempt, gifting Kyle Maddock an opportunity to send his side through which he took.

Performance of the week

Cuddington

Ashton arrived at Norley Road buoyed by scoring 19 goals in their previous two matches.

However they departed a beaten side after the home team returned to top-form, finding the net five times during the second-half of a convincing display.

It was a good day for…

Middlewich reserves

The Witches are grateful to goalkeeper Kieran Barrett for a crucial save during a penalty shoot-out success against Billinge in the Reserves Division Challenge Cup.

Kyle Maddock then converted to send his side through following a draw after 90 minutes.

In numbers

Lostock are unbeaten now in 15 league matches, a sequence that started on August 11

What they said

“We were superb and every player’s attitude was spot on.”

Gareth Harwood

Manager, Cuddington

Results

Saturday, January 12

Cheshire League

Premier Division: Daten 1-5 Poynton; Eagle 2-3 Crewe; Egerton 1-2 Denton; Knutsford 2-1 Billinge; Malpas 1-3 Pilkington; Middlewich 1-1 Altrincham res.

League One: Broadheath Central 3-2 Grappenhall; Garswood 4-1 Halebank; Golborne 1-3 Lostock Gralam; Vulcan 2-3 Ford Motors; Windle Labour 3-1 Buxton res.

League Two: Cheadle Heath Nomads res 2-0 Sandbach Utd res; Cuddington 6-2 Ashton Ath res; Holmes Chapel 1-3 Cheadle Town res; Rylands res 1-1 Ashton Town res; St Helens Town res 1-4 Maine Road res.

Reserves Division: Daten 0-3 Eagle; Greenalls PSO 0-4 Pilkington; Orford 0-3 FC St Helens; Poynton 0-0 Vulcan; Winstanley 0-1 Garswood A.

Reserves Division Challenge Cup

Semi-finals: Billinge 1-1 Middlewich (Middlewich win 4-3 on pens); Styal 5-0 Moore.

Crewe and District FA Cup

Second Round: MMU Cheshire 1-3 Winsford Saxons.

Crewe and District League

Premier Division: Barnton Wanderers 2-3 Madeley White Star; Mary Dendy 2-4 Tarporley; Over 3 Grange 4-1 Winnington Ave; Sandbach Curshaws 4-3 Sandbach Town.