WITH Mellor and Tintwistle in County Cup action in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League, Old Trafford and Gorse Hill kept in touch at the top winning by the odd goal in five against Abacus Media.

The rest of the Premier Division action saw the main focus on the lower reaches and Bedians climbed out of the bottom two with a hard-earned win against an improving Moston Brook.

Bedians were nearly made to pay for some missed chances but strikes from Alex Porter and Sean Cummings took them across the line.

They overtook Newton who lost out 2-1 hosting Parrs Wood Celtic who moved into third on goal difference.

Mellor marched into the last eight of the Cheshire Amateur Cup and played some sublime football as they disposed of Deva Christleton with a very accomplished 6-1 win at Newall Green.

The visitors took an early lead preying on a Mellor defensive error but a superb strike on 33 minutes from Liam Miller settled the Mellor nerves as they then took control.

Mellor inevitably took the lead through Dave Whelan on 51 minutes and virtually secured the tie when Miller added his second and super sub Joe Dalby made it 4-1 with a clinical header.

Miller completed his hat-trick with another cool finish and Mellor enjoyed a six-hit with another late goal.

Tintwistle Athletic were equally impressive in the Derbyshire Amateur Cup as they put seven past New Mills Development without reply.

Moorside Rangers made it a perfect 10 in Division One as they maintained their 100 per cent record with a comfortable 6-1 win at Stoconians.

Stoconians made the early moves and struck the bar but the near miss stirred Rangers into action with two quick goals.

They added four more after the break with the goals coming from Sixsmith (two), Kelly, Lock, Smith and Wilson to move level on points with Signol Athletic with three games in hand.

Signol were held by Newton Heath in an exciting 3-3 deadlock and Old Stretfordians kept up their good run of form with a 5-3 derby win against Trafford United.

The other game in the division was an emphatic 5-1 win for Milton against Didsbury.

Waterloo stay top of Division Two but were made to work hard for a 3-2 win by a gritty Chorltonians and they are now three points clear of non-playing Hooley Bridge Celtic and AFC Oldham.

The other games saw Spurley Hey share four goals with Staly Lions and Newton seconds won 4-2 at Moston Brook seconds.

The close nature of Division Three was emphasised as all three games involving the top teams were drawn.

Didsbury seconds and leaders Chorltonians seconds ended at 2-2 in their local derby, as did Manchester Polonia as they hosted Rochdalians seconds and there was a rare goalless draw between Newton Heath seconds and Salford Vics seconds.

With Division A leaders Whalley Range thirds not playing, Chorltonians Rovers took advantage to join them level on points.

They took on Stoconians seconds and wasted no time in opening the scoring as Orin Moore punished their sleepy defence in the first minute.

Club legend Pat Davin made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute and although Stocs improved in the second half, the nearest they came to opening their account was having a good penalty claim rejected.

Abacus Media seconds are out on their own in Division B after a narrow 2-1 win against main rivals Old Trafford and Gorse Hill seconds.

Rochdale Galaxy had their best win of the season, routing Bedians seconds 7-1 and Deans also hit seven in a 7-3 romp against Hillgate.

A delayed Rhodes Cup match saw Hollingworth move into the last 32 with a 5-2 win against Village Manchester.

Division C saw the biggest action of the day with five games completed.

Spurley Hey seconds took advantage of leaders Moorside Rangers seconds' postponement as they hit the top with a thrilling 5-3 victory at Abacus Media thirds.

Manchester Rovers were in another close affair, sharing six goals with Salford Vics thirds.

There were clean sheets for Oldham Vics seconds in a 3-0 derby win at Moston Brook fourths, AFC Oldham thirds by the same score against AFC Stockport and Parrs Wood Celtic thirds with a 2-0 win at Stoconians thirds.

There were just two games in Division D and Trafford United seconds closed in on the top two with a 5-3 victory over Chadderton Park seconds and Stoconians fourths edged a 3-2 win at Old Strets thirds.