TOP spot in the Premier Division remains firmly in Kirkby Lonsdale's hands after a 3-1 victory in a tight game against Caton United.

Kirkby took the lead after 30 minutes of excellent football when an inch-perfect cross from the right wing was met by a Gary Hartley header that gave the Caton keeper no chance.

Caton went looking for the equaliser but were often halted by the experienced Paul Gibson who was outstanding at the back and deserved his man of the match accolade.

In the 40th minute Kirkby counter-attacked and increased their lead to 2-0 through a Chris Vincent volley.

For most of the second half Kirkby were pushed back and they were eventually caught out by a swift attack which ended in an excellent Dave Cross goal.

Caton continued to press for an equaliser, but left holes in their defence.

Big Chris Brown broke out of defence for Kirkby and was hauled down in the penalty area.

Vincent dispatched the penalty for a 3-1 winning scoreline

Fielding five players under 16, Burton Thistle were no match for second in the table Marsh United.

Although the youngsters competed well they could not prevent a hat-trick from Adrian Scott and goals by Ken McMenemy and Alan Coulton as they lost 5-1.

Gavin Humpage netted for Thistle.

Goals from Paul Booth Dave Shaw and Steven Backhouse gave Ingleton a comfortable 3-0 victory over St Martin's College.

It was a disappointing start for the students, who were playing their first match of the season, but a welcome boost into mid-table for Ingleton.

Match of the day was the top of Division One clash between Boys Club and Allithwaite Rangers, who took over the lead with a 1-0 victory.

A good Arnside team was made to look ordinary by promoted Westgate Wanderers, who look like candidates for further promotion.

Westgate captain Wayne Rowlands and Lee Bowen were on target in the 2-0 victory.

Bottom club Galgate almost claimed their first win of the season when they led Ingleton Reserves 2-1 through goals by Simon Gould and Richard Robinson.

Then in the last minute Richard Backhouse hit an equaliser to add to Dave Baren's earlier goal.

Swarthmoor Social Club stay top of Division Two thanks to a good 4-2 victory over Community Sports.

Swarthmoor are playing their best football since joining the league and deserved their win with Gavin Jolley (2), Andy Postlethwaite and Tim Ryan scoring the goals.

Bentham and Grange battled out an eight-goal game, which ended 4-4.

Football was poor on a hard pitch, but Lee Ellis scored two brilliant goals for Bentham and Chris Hodgkinson added a third before Tim Mileston pulled one back for 3-1 at half-time.

Grange fought back to lead 4-3 through Peter Gadsen (2) and Simon Thompson, then Gary Louth tied it up with Bentham's fourth.

Arnside Reserves took an early lead at Caton United Reserves when Peter Walters scored from a narrow angle.

The home side equalised within minutes and then went on to a comfortable 6-1 victory.

Holme Athletic over-whelmed Carnforth Rangers 5-1 in their local derby.

Joe Mason (2), Chris Richardson, Lee Illingworth and Neil Lynch netting for Holme and Dominic Woof scoring a late consolation.

Cartmel Reserves, struggling to find form, managed to hold Sands Athletic to a 1-1 draw, Robert Snaith on target for Cartmel.

In Division Three Holme Athletic Reserves were no match for AFC Moorlands who ran out 6-1 winners, but Ian Manderson scored a good goal for Holme.

Bottom team Allithwaite Reserves lost 6-1 to Boys Club Reserves, Martin Lowe hitting the villagers' only goal.

Cartmel had to provide a referee when the appointed official failed to turn up for their Furness Senior Cup first-round match with Barrow Celtic.

In a bad-tempered game Cartmel took the few chances that arose to win 4-1 through Paul Airey (2), Dean Richards and John Burton.