THE race for the British Energy North Lancashire and District Premier Division title is hotting up big style as the season approaches its halfway point.

Marsh United and Storeys are neck and neck at the summit with only goal difference separating the sides.

And that goal difference means Marsh are on top but they found the going tough against Boys Club.

In fact, the leaders went 2-0 down as Paul Muckalt and Dean Robinson gave Boys Club a flying start. But Lee Sparkes pulled one back for Marsh before Neil Marshall levelled the game from the penalty spot and Muckalt put through his own net to give Marsh the narrowest of wins.

Storeys were also made to struggle as they faced a determined Torrisholme side. Despite dominating the game Storeys only had a Matty Craig goal to show for their efforts but that was enough to give them three crucial points.

Slyne-with-Hest are also in the running at the top, just two points off the pace after hammering Westgate Wanderers 4-1 as Lee Fox bagged a brace with James Hill and Des Martinez also finding the net.

CCM Dynamos slipped to fourth after losing 3-2 at Ingleton, while Highgrove continued their impressive first season in the top flight by battering City Contract Services 6-1 with Luke Ogley scoring a hat-trick and Lee Braide, Russell Mitchell and a Scott Doherty penalty also scoring.

Kirkby Lonsdale beat Morecambe Royals 3-1 in the day's other game.

Caton United beat Slyne Reserves 5-2 in the Gibson Cup with Darren Green bagging a brace, while Galgate cemented their place at the top of Division One as goals from Steve Cottam (two) and Charles Andrews gave them a 3-0 win over Storey Reserves.

Bentham and Community Sports shared six goals, as Vine went down again, this time 3-1 to Ingleton Reserves.

But the star of the day was Peter Gadsden. The Arnside ace scored all five goals in his side's romp against Burton Thistle.

Results Furness and District Senior Challenge Cup second round: Cartmel and District 5 Bootle 2, Swarthmoor Social Club 2 Premier Division: Boys Club 2 Marsh United 3, Highgrove 6 City Contract Services 1, Ingleton 3 CCM Dynamos 2, Kirkby Lonsdale 3 Morecambe Royals 1, Slyne-with-Hest 4 Westgate Wanderers 1, Storeys 1 Torrisholme 0 Holden's Solicitors Gibson Cup first round: Caton United 5 Slyne-with-Hest Reserves 2 Division One: Bentham 3 Community Sports 3, Galgate 3 Storeys Reserves 0, Grange 5 Burton Thistle 2, Millhead 3 Arnside 1, Morecambe Royals Reserves 1 Cartmel Reserves 3, Vine 1 Ingleton Reserves 4 Scott's Sports Whiteside Cup first round: Freehold 1 Holme Athletic 0 Second Round: Carnforth Rangers 1 Halton Rangers 0 Division Two: Arnside Reserves 1 Bolton-le-Sands 1, Marsh United Reserves 3 Trimpell 3, Morecambe Hoops 6 Allithwaite Rangers 3, Torrisholme Reserves 1 Caton United Reserves 3 Division Three: Moorlands 2 Grange Reserves 2, Allithwaite Reserves 3 Galgate Reserves 3, Burton Thistle Reserves 1 Highgrove Reserves 7, Gregson 2 Poulton United 2 Division Four: Bolton-le-Sands Reserves 0 Bowerham 1, Poulton United Reserves 0 Furness Rovers 15 Kelly Flynn Cunningham Cup Group One: Villa Royals 1 Carnforth Rangers Reserves 4 Kelly Flynn Cunningham Cup Group Two: Heysham 5 Bentham Reserves 4