WITTON Albion steered a course to the FA Trophy’s final qualifying round when they saw off AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Cesaire rolled in an opening goal after running onto Tom Owens’ pass before Zack Reynolds sliced Danny McKenna’s cross into his own net in the second-half to secure a 2-0 win for Carl Macauley’s men.

There was a knockout success too for 1874 Northwich who brushed aside AFC Blackpool in the Macron Cup.

Scott McGowan’s hat-trick was a highlight in a 5-0 win that also included a cameo as a substitute for 16-year-old Matty Preston that makes him the youngest player to represent the club.

Northwich Victoria attempt to join them in the last 16 when they host Premier Division rivals Runcorn on Sunday afternoon.

Winsford United could not follow an important victory at Squires Gate in midweek with another when they visited Hanley Town.

Michael Keates put the home team in front, after Blues had played promisingly ahead of the interval, although they did not make sure of maximum points until Lewis Salmon scored with just three minutes left.

Barnton went down 3-0 at home to in-form Abbey Hulton United in the North West Counties League’s First Division South.

Harry Short’s double helped Middlewich Town to edge out second-placed Poynton in a Cheshire League Premier Division fixture.

Marcin Manko netted the Witches’ other goal in a 3-2 win that leaves sends them four points clear at the table’s summit.

Cuddington also returned to top spot in Cheshire League Two following a 4-0 win at Cheadle Heath Nomads reserves.

Max Linaker put the visitors in front before Ben Curbishley doubled their lead with a powerful strike.

Danny Hancock added to their advantage and Callum Payne’s solo strike completed the scoring.

It was an afternoon to forget for Winsford teams in the Northern Cup first round.

Over 3 Grange lost by the odd goal in five at Styal reserves, while Saxons bowed out following a 6-2 defeat away to Pilkington reserves.

There was reason to be cheerful for Winnington Avenue though after they collected a first point of the campaign in the Crewe and District League.

Kyle Caldwell helped himself to a hat-trick in a 4-4 draw with neighbours Clock Tower.

Barnton Wanderers, the defending champions, climbed the table following a 4-3 win at Sandbach Curshaws.

Results

FA Trophy

Second Round Qualifying inc: Witton 2-0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

To see the results in full, click here

Northern Premier League

Premier Division: Hednesford 1-0 Warrington; Marine 1-1 Gainsborough; Matlock 2-1 Bamber Bridge; North Ferriby 1-4 Nantwich.

North West Counties League

Premier Division: Ashton Ath 2-1 Whitchurch; Hanley 2-0 Winsford; Litherland REMYCA 2-2 Padiham; Silsden 2-5 Irlam.

First Division South: Alsager 3-1 New Mills; Barnton 0-3 Abbey Hulton; St Martins 0-0 Vauxhall Motors.

Macron Cup

Second Round: 1874 Northwich 5-0 AFC Blackpool; Abbey Hey 2-0 Atherton LR; Avro 7-0 Wythenshawe Town; Barnoldswick 3-0 Wythenshawe Amateurs; Burscough 3-1 Sandbach Utd; Cammell Laird 0-0 Lower Breck (Cammell Laird win 6-5 on pens); Cheadle Town 5-0 Bootle; City of Liverpool 1-0 Squires Gate; Eccleshall 1-2 West Didsbury & Chorlton; Maine Road 0-5 Nelson; Prestwich 5-0 Cleator Moor Celtic; Rylands 5-0 Cheadle Heath; Stockport Town 2-2 Garstang (Garstang win 5-3 on pens); Stone Dominoes 0-4 Congleton.

Cheshire League

Premier Division: Billinge 3-4 Congleton Vale; Eagle 3-1 Knutsford; Malpas 2-2 FC St Helens; Middlewich 3-2 Poynton; Pilkington 4-0 Greenalls PSO.

League One: Garswood 1-1 Windle Labour; Golborne 0-5 Vulcan; Grappenhall 5-0 Halebank; Moore 3-2 Buxton res; Orford 1-5 Broadheath Central; Winstanley 5-3 Ford Motors.

League Two: Cheadle Heath res 0-4 Cuddington; Holmes Chapel 5-3 Rylands res; Sandbach Utd res 7-1 Maine Road res; Wythenshawe Town Development 0-4 Club AZ.

Reserves Division: Broadheath Central 0-12 Orford; FC St Helens 0-3 Daten; Greenalls PSO 0-3 Winstanley; Poynton 2-2 Billinge; Vulcan 1-3 Eagle.

Northern Cup

First Round: Sandbach Town 1-3 Goose Green; Styal res 3-2 Over 3 Grange; Pilkington res 6-2 Winsford Saxons.

Crewe and District League

Premier Division: Sandbach Curshaws 3-4 Barnton Wanderers; Winnington Ave 4-4 Clock Tower.