It was a big week for those sides from our division who were still in the FA Cup, as they looked to secure a place in the third qualifying round.

League leaders Salford City were unable to progress, as they lost out after a replay to Ashton United. Salford had led the opening tie only for Richard Bennett to equalise for Ashton in stoppage time and force a replay. Mark Haslam scored the only goal in the second game at Salford, as Ashton progressed 1-0 winners.

Warrington Town were able to progress after their replay with Sheffield FC. The first game was goalless, before Warrington went to Sheffield on Tuesday night and came away 3-1 victors, thanks to two strikes from Steve Foster and one from Scott Metcalfe. Warrington’s reward for victory is a trip to Wales to face Colwyn Bay. Colwyn dispatched Harrogate RA from the cup on Saturday with a 3-2 victory.

Spennymoor Town progressed after they won away to Northern League side Dunston UTS. Michael Roberts scored twice, along with goals from Anthony Peacock and Liam Henderson in a 4-1 victory. Spennymoor are now only two games away from the first round proper and in the next round they host Salford’s conquerors Ashton United.

Lancaster City pulled off the shock of the round thanks to a late winner away to FC United. In front of a four figure crowd, Billy Akrigg scored the only goal of the game five minutes from time to give Lancaster the victory 1-0. In the next round they travel to King’s Lynn Town.

Scarborough Athletic were knocked out at Curzon Ashton, the only goal of the game coming in the first half from Sam Walker. Droylsden suffered the same fate at home to Guiseley. The visitors scoring the only goal of the game, just before half time through Wayne Brooksby.

Farsley were easily beaten away to Gainsborough Trinity and found themselves four behind inside an hour. A late Lewis Nightingale goal was the only consolation they could manage in a 4-1 defeat.

The final side in cup action were Bamber Bridge, who won away to Workington. Andrew Bell scored the only game of the game from the penalty spot for Bamber Bridge who now host Chorley in the next round.

Bamber did however suffer defeat in the league on Tuesday night. They lost away to Northwich Victoria, who overtook them in the table following the result. Northwich scored the only goal of the game in the final ten minutes from a penalty by Jack Sherratt.

Northwich had earlier in the week suffered a shock defeat at Clitheroe. Despite falling behind through an own goal, Clitheroe were able to win the game 3-1, the goals coming from Lynch, Clark and Wilkins.

Droylsden were able to recover from their FA cup defeat, as they won away to Scarborough Athletic on Tuesday night. Scarborough had taken the lead, thanks to Gary Bradshaw, before goals from Alex Frost and Stephen Hall gave Droylsden the victory 2-1. The Bloods are now third in the league table behind Darlington on goal difference.

Despite an impressive start to the season, Mossley were heavily defeated by the ever improving Kendal Town. Kendal moved up to 13th in the league thanks to a 4-0 win with two goals from Carney and further goals from Pickup and Jackson.

Brighouse Town and Prescot Cables shared nine goals on Saturday with Brighouse coming out on top 6-3. Brighouse had been one nil down, but recovered to lead 6-1 at one stage with Ryan Hall scoring twice.

Padiham remain bottom of the table after their latest defeat at home to Burscough, 3-1. Paul Williams, Anthony Brown and Jordan Williams scored for Burscough, before Padiham gained a late consolation through veteran Brett Ormerod.

The final game of the week saw Radcliffe Borough draw 1-1 at home to Ossett Albion. Albion had taken the lead through David Brown, before Jack Hindle levelled for Radcliffe eight minutes from time.

On Saturday we face bottom of the table Padiham before travelling to Brighouse Town on Tuesday night. Elsewhere in the league Salford host Bamber Bridge, while third place Droylsden host Clitheroe.

Fixtures 4th October

Burscough v Mossley

Darlington v Padiham

Droylsden v Clitheroe

Harrogate RA v Warrington Town

Lancaster City v Brighouse Town

New Mills v Prescot Cables

Northwich Victoria v Spennymoor Town

Ossett Town v Kendal Town

Radcliffe Borough v Farsley

Salford City v Bamber Bridge

Scarborough Athletic v Ossett Albion