MELLOR remain top of the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League Premier Division but were given their toughest test of the season to date by Old Trafford and Gorse Hill.

An enthralling game that was a credit to both clubs ended in a 2-1 win to Mellor which preserves their 100-per-cent record and moves them three points clear at the top from Tintwistle Athletic with a game in hand.

Tintwistle were made to pay for fielding an under-strength team at Parrs Wood Celtic as Andrew Lunt opened the scoring with the first of his two goals on 18 minutes which was soon followed by a second from Lewis Murphy.

Athletic gave themselves hopes of a recovery as Anthony Rodrigues reduced the arrears before the break.

But Celtic were unstoppable in the second half as the goals came from Jack Timmons, Jason Law, Danny South and Andrew Lunt for a convincing 6-1 win to keep in the title hunt.

Reigning champions Rochdalians showed their intent on retaining the title with an emphatic 7-2 win at Newton.

The local derby between South Manchester and Bedians saw South win 3-2 with strikes from Clay Murray, Azuka Otutu and Marc Critchley to keep South in the comfort of mid-table.

Abacus Media repeated the scoreline against Old Ashtonians and High Lane enjoyed a big win a Moston Brook.

The only league game in Division One saw Signol Athletic move into second place with a 6-4 win at home to Didsbury.

Rhodes Cup action saw first teams from across the divisions in opposition with Bury Ams in good form with a 6-2 win at Aldermere and Division One leaders Moorside Rangers showed why they have an unblemished record as they ended the winning run of Waterloo with a convincing 4-1 win.

It was the best performance of the season against a very promising Waterloo and two goals from Alex Kelly and Brad Sixsmith in each half sealed the win for Rangers.

Salford Vics won 4-2 at Old Stretfordians and Swinton repeated this score at Deans in a local derby, while Santos accounted for Oldham Vics 5-2 in another local derby.

Vics conceded a goal after just 30 seconds but came back well with strikes from Ben Williams, James Grantham and a brace from substitute Keeran Parker.

It needed penalty shoot-outs in the other games involving Division One teams with Newton Heath winning 5-4 against Hollingworth after a 4-4 draw, Village Manchester pulling off an upset with a 4-2 win against Milton after a 1-1 draw and AFC Oldham winning 3-2 at Trafford United after a superb 4-4 deadlock.

Division Two featured a 4-2 penalty shoot-out triumph for Chorltonians after a 1-1 draw with Staly Lions after a strike from Louis James for Chorlts kept them in the game.

Spurley Hey won their local derby 5-4 at Heaton Mersey while Hooley Bridge Celtic had few problems in beating AFC Stockport 9-3.

Wray Cup fixtures for second teams saw Mellor seconds have the result of the day, beating Whalley Range seconds 5-2 and there were also wins for Newton seconds, 3-1 at Rochdalians seconds, Moston Brook seconds, 4-2 against Newton Heath and Parrs Wood Celtic seconds, 3-0 against South Manchester seconds.

There were two Rhodes Cup ties in Division Three as Cheadle Hulme Athletic were impressive in a 5-2 defeat of Manchester Rovers and Chadderton Park won 2-0 at Manchester Polonia.

Wray Cup action in the the same division went in favour of Didsbury seconds, 6-0 against Salford Vics seconds, and Chorltonians seconds who had Aaron Rodger (two), Tom Hull, Charlie Cairioli, James Dixon and Pete Atkins netting in a 6-1 romp against Hooley Bridge seconds.

There were plenty of goals in the cup in Division A led by Tintwistle Athletic seconds who won 6-1 at Hargreaves Bury and Whalley Range thirds beat Bury Ams seconds 5-3.

Chorltonians Rovers had the goals shared by Dom McLaughlin, Pat Davin, Orin Moore and Dorian Davies in a 4-3 win against Moston Brook thirds, while AFC Oldham seconds had to work hard for a 2-1 win at Bury Ams thirds.

Signol Athletic seconds cruised to a 4-1 win at Staly Lions seconds while Chorltonians Villa could only manage a consolation strike from Obi Ezeh in a 3-1 defeat at Stoconians thirds.

The games in Division B were closely contested apart from Tintwistle Athletic thirds who beat Old Strets seconds 4-1.

AFC Oldham seconds won 2-1 at Bury Ams thirds, Hillgate scored the only goal of their game against Rochdale Galaxy and Abacus Media won 2-0 at OTGH seconds.

There was a real goal-fest in the cup games in Division C led by Swinton seconds in a big 8-4 win against Abacus Media thirds.

Salford Vics transferred their bright league form to the cup with a 7-2 win against Bedians thirds and AFC Oldham thirds won 6-3 hosting Staly Lions thirds.

Jordan Byrne was on fire for Vics with a nap hand, topped by singles from Ste Tudor and Jordan Jones.

Moston Brook fourths won 5-2 at Chorltonians Athletic with Paul Stansbury and Luke Vaughan netting for Chorlts and Bury Ams fourths won 4-1 against Stoconians thirds.

Moorside Rangers seconds suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 3-2 to Oldham Vics seconds and Stoconians fourths needed a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win after drawing 1-1 with Parrs Wood Celtic thirds.

The other penalty shoot-out went in favour of Chadderton Park seconds 4-2 after drawing 2-2 with Didsbury thirds.

Just one league game in Division D saw Old Strets thirds share six goals with Whalley Range thirds.

Cup action saw Didsbury fourths beat Droylsden JFC 4-3 and Spurley Hey seconds scored the only goal of their game with Trafford United seconds.