Gerards bow out but Thornton are singing in the rain

Neither Whitehaven and CMB could hit the net in West Cumbria with Matt Taylor’s men dropping points for only the second time this season in a 0-0 stalemate.

That meant Thornton Cleveleys could open up a three point gap at the top and they duly obliged, dispatching Fulwood Amateurs 4-1.

A Brett Dawson penalty and an own goal opened up a two goal lead for the home side with Zaid Bangi halving the deficit.

But Jordan Beavers’ effort on 45 minutes changed the dynamic of the half-time teamtalks and Daniel Stoney wrapped up the points on 64 minutes in a 4-1 win.

Thornton Cleveleys are now three points clear but CMB have three games in hand.

Hurst Green had a fruitful trip up the M6, coming away from in-form Cleator Moor with a 1-0 win courtesy of Will Nicholls’ 70th minute winner.

No games in Division One or Two survived but Thornton Cleveleys Res made use of a 3G surface at Poolfoot Farm to see off Turton Res in Division One Reserve.

Ryan Hulme had put Turton ahead but Sam Cross and Harry Fryer had turned it around by the break.

A second Fryer effort and a last minute goal by Tommy Dollin secured another 4-1 win for Thornton.

In Division Two Reserve, Fulwood Amateurs A recovered from two goals down at home to Milnthorpe Reserves to earn a point.

Will Booth and an own goal had put Milnthorpe ahead at the break at UClan Sports Arena only for Kyle Finch and Max Botes to make it 2-2.

In the Lancashire Amateur Shield, Lostock St Gerards became the third West Lancashire League side to succumb to Elton Vale – after Tempest United and Burscough Richmond – in a 4-2 defeat.

In the quarter-finals, Wyre Villa travel to Winstanley Warriors while Coppull host Fulwood Amateurs in an all West Lancashire League tie.