Champagne on ice as late penalty denies Burscough glory

With Burscough winning 3-0 at Hurst Green and Turton leading 2-1 at CMB, the title was heading to West Lancashire.

But a last-gasp penalty earned CMB a point meaning only a win at home to Tempest United on Wednesday will take the title race to the final day.

Even then, Burscough only need a point away at Slyne to lift the trophy.

They won a tricky looking match at Hurst Green through second half strikes by Billy Whittle, Josh Niblock and Ade Kirkbride.

CMB were trailing twice – Dylan Jeffs twice putting Turton in the lead.

But goals from Obi Ebizie and that last minute penalty from Dan Crook ensured it was point apiece and the first dropped points at home all season for Matt Taylor’s men, just at the wrong time.

At the bottom, Milnthorpe Corinthians soared out of the relegation placed with a thumping 4-1 win at Tempest.

Jenson Butterworth bagged a first half hat-trick and a Garry Thompson free kick gave the visitors a 4-0 lead at the break. Tom Booth replied in the second period.

A point for Shaun Gardner’s men away at Coppull next week will seal safety.

Coppull go into that game having earned a point at Poulton, Luke Power’s opener cancelled out by an own goal in a 1-1 stalemate.
And Slyne saw off Whitehaven 2-0 thanks to Reece Pearce and Robbie Mooring.

In Division One, Hesketh Bank left it late to take all three points from Crooklands Casuals, Joe Smyth-Ferguson settling the game in the 85th minute.

The pressure was on Rossendale in third and they came from behind to beat local rivals Haslingden 2-1.

Leon Barker Williams put Haslingden ahead only for Thursday’s cup hero Tom Hulme to strike twice to turn the tables and keep them in the driving seat for promotion.

Eagley earned a 4-1 win at home to Askam – a Lewis Rawsthorn brace and efforts by Luke Bradbury and Alfie Flitcroft for Eagley and a late consolation for Askam by Ben Phizacklea.

Carnforth Rangers cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw with Millom.

In Division Two, Chipping hit six to go top of the division with a game to play.

Jake Unsworth, Gregg Trimbell and Rick Coar broke AFC Blackpool’s initial resistance and further goals from Trimbell, Matt Shorrrock and Ethan Edmundson gave their goal difference a healthy boost.

Josh Winder grabbed a consolation for AFC Blackpool late on.
Kendal United romped into fifth place with a 5-1 win over Cartmel.

Daniel Craig left the visitors shaken and stirred with the opener and Jonny Voortman doubled the advantage.

Ryan Patterson gave Cartmel hope but Jamie Harris, Craig’s second and Matthew Kennedy confirmed the three points.

Storeys leapfrogged their opponents Burnley United into seventh with a 3-0 win.

Luke Barmby, Matthew Poole and David Whitelaw netted for Paul Rigby’s men.

And in Division Two Reserve, Haslingden St Mary’s Res beat Milnthorpe Corinthians Res in a 4-3 thriller.

Will Booth twice put Milnthorpe ahead but Charlie Lord and Oliver Thompson replied.

Ben Sampson put Milnthorpe back in the lead with 20 minutes left but Lord tied it up at 3-3 before an own goal with two minutes left will mean Haslingden are set to finish fourth.