Reigning Lancashire and Cheshire AFL premier division champions Rochdalians began a hectic end to the season as they catch up with a huge backlog of games with a big home win against basement team Bury Ams in midweek.
Then they faced current leaders Mellor just a week after losing at to the Stockport team.
It was an even game for the first 30 minutes with Rochdalians having the better of the play but once Mellor scored they took charge for a vital 3-0 win to stay eight points clear of Rochdalians, who have four games in hand.
Second-placed Abacus Media went down 2-1 at Bedians who had enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 derby win over Chorltonians in midweek. Julian Patterson was the hotshot for Bedians with a neat double.
Old Trafford and Gorse Hill’s hopes of testing Mellor were hit as they shared eight goals hosting Moston Brook.
It was also honours even at Parrs Wood Celtic as Old Ashtonians gained a precious point in a 1-1 deadlock, and draw specialists Celtic shared the spoils in a 2-2 midweek draw with Moston Brook.
Newton are enjoying a good spell of results and after going down 1-0 at South Manchester as Azuka Otutu opened the scoring the floodgates opened for Newton as they breezed to a 5-1 win.
Division One
There some crucial games in division one affecting the promotion battle and leaders Tintwistle Athletic gave the chasing pack hope of catching them as they lost 2-1 hosting Signol Athletic.
High Lane took full advantage and moved to within six points with two games in hand with a convincing 3-1 win at Govan Athletic.
Brad Higginbottom gave Lane and early lead and they dominated the game until James Goddard put Athletic back on terms before the break.
Lane kept up the pressure in the second half and were rewarded with goals from Jay Willingham who chipped the keeper after a great through ball and Leon Murphy who fired home from close range.
Moorside Rangers were also impressive in their local derby against Salford Vics as they produced one of their best performances of the season in a 6-1 win.
Monk led the way with four goals and Kay and Brough completed the six-hit with Williams getting the Vics consolation.
Defences went walkabout at Newton Heath in their relegation scrap with Hooley Bridge Celtic as they shared an amazing 14 goals.
Goals were harder to come by in the game as Old Stretfordians and Milton ended at 1-1.
Division Two
In division two Whalley Range seconds took two big steps towards the title as they followed a close 3-2 midweek win over Urmston SC with a comfortable 6-2 win over a depleted Rochdalians seconds.
The win moves Range 12 points clear of Parrs Wood Celtic seconds, who scored the only goal of their game at Staly Lions and Chorltonians seconds who were beaten 4-2 by Old Strets seconds.
At the other end of the table AFC Oldham stay in trouble after losing by the odd goal in five at Mellor seconds.
Division Three
There was a shock for division three leaders Chorltonians Town who were held 4-4 by Oldham Vics but they are still 12 points clear of the rest of the division needing one more point to clinch the title.
Swinton FC continue to chase the top two with an emphatic 5-1 win at Heaton Mersey and the goals also flowed for Moston Brook seconds in a 7-0 romp over AFC Stockport.
Division A
In division A Moston Brook thirds are doomed to relegation after losing 5-1 at Burnage Metro seconds and bottom team Old Strets thirds went down 3-0 at AFC Oldham seconds.
Chorltonians Athletic virtually clinched the runners-up berth with a 2-1 win at Bury Ams seconds.
Division B
Just one game played in division B and a mid-table contest between Old Trafford and Gorse Hill seconds and Bury Ams thirds went in favour of Bury by 2-1 and this followed a 3-0 midweek win for OT against Bedians seconds.
Division C
Only one game was played in division C and Burnage Metro thirds picked up a rare point as they held Moorside Rangers seconds to 2-2.
Division D
Hillgate are the champions of division D after a comfortable 4-1 win at Moston Brook fourths and Salford Vics thirds moved into second place on goal difference with a 6-0 cruise at Parrs Wood Celtic thirds.
Abacus Media thirds and Chorltonians were locked in an entertaining 6-6 draw and Trafford United seconds gave themselves hopes of avoiding the drop with a 4-2 triumph at Staly Lions thirds.
Division E
Division E leaders Oldham Vics seconds gave the chasing pack hope as they crashed 5-2 hosting Burnage Metro fourths and Bury Ams fourths took full advantage as they scored the only goal of their game against AFC Oldham fourths.
Stoconians fourths were on fire as they eased to a 6-1 win over Govan Athletic thirds and in midweek Oldham Vics seconds won their local derby by 2-0 over AFC Oldham fourths and Whalley Range fiourths went down 2-4 to Govan Athletic thirds.
