THE latest round of the Manchester Amateur Cup saw two Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League teams make it into the last eight, Old Stretfordians' third team the unlikely heroes.

They had defied the odds by beating Heyside in the previous round and they showed their fighting spirit as they took on Heaton.

After the game ended 1-1 in normal time Strets then kept their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 4-3.

The run of their first team was ended as they lost out 5-4 in a thriller at East Manchester Academy and a similar fate was suffered by Newton Heath, who were beaten 6-3 by Torpedo Chorlton.

But Moorside Rangers kept up their impressive form in the league as they matched into the quarter finals with a 5-3 win against Blackley Town, Goodman, Sixsmith, Fraser, Kay and McMaster accounting for the goals.

It was the end of the cup trail for Mellor seconds who were beaten 3-0 by AFC Macclesfield in the Stockport Senior Cup.

In the Premier Division the top two both posted wins, leaders Whalley Range cruising to a 6-3 win at High Lane while Mellor had to work harder to win by the odd goal in five at Old Trafford and Gorse Hill.

Range stay top on goal difference but Mellor have a game in hand.

Parrs Wood Celtic moved into third place with a 3-1 win against champions Rochdalians as Andrew Lunt took his season’s tally to 18 with a clinical hat-trick.

Moston Brook stay marooned at the foot of the table after losing their derby with Abacus Media 6-1 but there were some close games involving the other relegation battlers.

Newton took an early lead through Otu Atut at Bedians but with both teams battling hard they shared the points in a 3-3 deadlock.

Old Ashtonians showed their intent on avoiding the drop as they did well to hold high-flying Tintwistle Athletic to a 2-2 draw.

With Division One leaders Moorside Rangers in cup action Signol Athletic took advantage to establish a three-point lead at the top after their 2-1 win against Milton.

All the other games in the division just had an odd goal between the teams with a 3-2 win for Salford Vics at Didsbury, Oldham Vics beating Bury Ams by the same scoreline and Stoconians winning 4-3 against Trafford United.

Division Two leaders Waterloo were not in action but AFC Oldham wasted an opportunity to draw level as they lost out 3-2 at Spurley Hey.

Chorltonians were too hot for Staly Lions to handle as they won 5-0 and Newton seconds also went nap as they beat Moston Brook seconds 5-2.

Hooley Bridge led 2-0 at Whalley Range seconds but conceded twice in the second half, the equaliser coming in the dying minutes.

Salford Vics seconds stay on top of Division Three on goal difference after a comfortable 5-0 win against Heaton Mersey. Didsbury seconds kept on terms with Vics but had to work hard for a 2-1 win at Cheadle Hulme Athletic.

Elsewhere in the division Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds beat Newton Heath seconds and Chadderton Park were victorious against Manchester Polonia, both games finishing 3-2.

Chorltonians Rovers lead Division A by three points after a 4-2 win against Aldermere but hot on their heels with games in hand are Whalley Range thirds and Hollingworth.

Both posted emphatic wins with Hollingworth beating Stoconians seconds 7-2 and Whalley Range disposing of Moston Brook thirds 6-0.

Signol Athletic seconds stay in the mix after a 4-2 win at Hargreaves Bury and Mellor thirds cruised to a big win against AFC Oldham seconds.

Abacus Media seconds look unstoppable in division B as a routine 5-2 win against Staly Lions seconds keeps them nine points clear of the rest of the chasing pack.

There were comfortable wins for Hillgate, 5-0 against Bury Ams thirds, and Rochdale Galaxy who put six without reply past Milton seconds. A close encounter at Old Strets seconds saw them score the only goal of their game with Deans.

Division D action had leaders Spurley Hey seconds staying three points clear after a 10-3 derby win at AFC Stockport.

Moorside Rangers are three points off the pace but have two games in hand after their 4-1 win at Parrs Wood Celtic seconds.

Oldham Vics seconds stay in the hunt as they came out 5-3 winners in their derby at AFC Oldham thirds.

Manchester Rovers kept a clean sheet in a 5-0 win against Spurley Hey seconds and Moston Brook fourths also hit five as they beat Stoconians thirds 5-2.

Division D leaders Bedians thirds lost out for the first time this season, going down 2-1 at Trafford United seconds but Didsbury fourths were unable to take advantage of the slip as they shared eight goals with Stoconians fourths.

Chadderton Park seconds won their derby with AFC Oldham fourths and the other game produced a 5-2 win for Chorltonians Athletic against Staly Lions thirds.