FOOTBALL: Appleby emerged victorious in a derby cliffhanger at Lunesdale United in the Talbot Insurance Westmorland League's first division on Saturday. Lunesdale, who had slipped from first to eighth place in the table, gave a much-improved display but went down 4-3.

Appleby were without central defender Craig Nelson and wide midfielder Richard Faustino, but Daryl Wilson came in for his first game of the season and played a fetch and give' role in front of the back four to be man of the match.

Lunesdale might have been a couple of goals up and Paul Boustead was denied by the crossbar before he headed them into the lead.

Appleby equalised through John Coward from the penalty spot and took a 2-1 lead when Steve Wharton released Coward, who pulled the ball back from the byline for Neil Dean to tap in for a 2-1 half-time lead.

After the break, Appleby went 3-1 up as keeper Paul Crawford's long punt upfield deceived the defence on the bounce and David Fleming slotted into the corner.

Lowis kept Lunesdale's hopes alive by scoring twice more, including one from the penalty spot, but Appleby edged ahead with a fourth goal when Dean cut inside from the left and beat the keeper and they maintained their narrow lead in a testing last ten minutes.

"It's always a big derby for us," said Appleby boss Jock Nugent. "Lunesdale gave us a hard game and I was relieved that we took all three points in the end."

League and cup results: Westmorland FA competitions - Senior Cup, first round: Keswick 0, Ambleside Utd 1.

Benevolent Trophy, first round: Sedbergh Wanderers 5, Kendal Celtic 3. Kendal County w/over against Greystoke.

Junior Cup: Kirkby Lons Res 2, Windermere SC Res 3; Ibis Res 1, Wetheriggs Utd Res 2; Carleton Rovers Res 4, Keswick Res 7; Ambleside Utd Res 0, Penrith Rangers 3; Burneside Res 4, Arnside Res 1 (aet); Ullswater Utd 9, Burton 0; Northbank Carlisle Res v Greystoke Res (postponed).

Div 1: Coniston 2, Kendal Town Res 2; Ibis 1, Kenbdal County 8 (at County); Lunesdale Utd 3, Appleby 4; Wetheriggs Utd 3, Carleton Rovers 1; Windermere SC 3, Staveley Utd 1.

Ibis 1-8 Kendal County at Kendal County Div 2: Dent 5, Shap 2; Kirkoswald 3,Carvetii Utd 2.

Div 3: Appleby Res 2, Endmoor KGR 2; Penrith Rangers Res 0,Carvetii Utd Res 0; Staveley Utd Res 2, Braithwaite 4; Staveley Utd Res 2, Braithwaite 4; Wetheriggs Utd A 1, Sedbergh Wand Res 4.

Div 4: Endmoor KGR Res 1, Kendal Utd 5; Kendal Celtic Res 1, Dent Res 0; Langwathby 2, Penrith Utd 7; Shap Res 1, Lunesdale Utd Res 5; Windermere SC A 1, Burneside Academy 4.