Nelson's late victory looked even better when we found out most of the other critical results had gone our way.

Our narrow victory over Maine Road moved us above our opponents and up into fourth place, following several positive results for us in the other games, including defeat for both of the top two.

After playing mainly moderate opposition of late, leaders Colne came unstuck when they travelled to Formby's new Altcar Road Stadium. Olsen gave the home side the lead on the half hour, and Smith rounded things up three minutes from time as Colne pushed forward for an equaliser in vain. Formby's victory propels them up to third, above the Blues on goal difference.

Second placed Flixton visited Padiham on the back of a 10 game unbeaten run - their only league defeat before Saturday was on the first weekend against Darwen - but returned home on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline, with Harrison and Whittaker scoring the goals in the second half.

Ashton Town slipped below Nelson into fifth, but earned a creditable 2-2 draw at Great Harwood, who lie just below them in the table. Darbyshire netted for the home side five minutes before the break, and when Mashiter doubled the lead from the spot with 18 minutes to go, Great Harwood looked home and dry. But Edwardson helped himself to a quickfire double to salvage a point.

Games involving Darwen haven't been short of goal action this season, and Saturday was no different, as the Lancastrians romped to a 4-2 win against Leek to move into seventh. An own goal got them on their way in the first half, and Arthur's equaliser on 50th minutes only served to provoke the home side, who netted three more times through Stubberfield, Shaw and Hill before Heler's 74th minute consolation for the visitors.

Tuesday night's opponents Holker Old Boys went down to a surprise home defeat against Blackpool Mechanics. Mechs went in at half-time two goals to the good through Kinley and Walsh, and Swarbrick's 78th minute strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the boys from Barrow.

Winsford United continued their recent good form with a 2-1 victory at Cheadle, all the goals coming in the first half. Rowlands put United ahead on three minutes, only for Morris to level ten minutes later. Quinn then slotted home a 32nd minute penalty for the visitors, the final and winning goal.

Elsewhere Castleton Gabriels thumped Norton United 4-0 at Butterworth Park, Eccleshall collected all three points at home against Chadderton in a 3-0 romp, and Oldham Town saw off Daisy Hill by the same scoreline at Whitebank Stadium.