THE race for the North Lancashire League Premier Division title took another twist when favourites Carnforth Rangers dropped two vital points when they were held to a 1-1 draw by a Marsh United battling for survival.

United went in to the game knowing a point would be good enough to avoid the drop while a weakened Rangers side were looking for a victory to edge closer to the championship and they took the lead when Robbie Mooring’s long effort squeezed under the Marsh 'keeper.The second half saw a much-improved Carnforth take the game to Marsh but could not get the second goal they needed to kill the game off.

And in two minutes of added on time, a Marsh breakaway attack saw centre forward Dale Scurr outmuscle his marker to grab a last-gasp equaliser.

Cartmel and District still have an outside chance of pipping Carnforth for the title who beat struggling College AFC 2-1. Peter Tiestel netted for the College boys with Graham Rhodes and Samuel Taylor scoring for Cartmel.

But Galgate’s hopes of being champions are over for another year after they were held 1-1 by Ingleton. Joe Towers gave Ingleton the lead but with five minutes left, Chris Gardner levelled for Galgate.

Bottom club Bowerham lost 4-1 at Caton and must now win the last two home games against Cartmel and District and Highgrove FC to stand any chance of avoiding the drop.

Storeys look safe after overcoming a Bentham side that finished the match with nine men. Two goals from Gareth Turner and one from Luke Atkinson sealed a 3-1 win with leading scorer Thomas Burns on target for Bentham.

In Division One, already promoted Swarthmoor Social Club and Mayfield United both won their games to keep the title under wraps for at least one more week.

Swarthmoor beat Carnforth Rangers Reserves 1-0 thanks to a goal from Cameron Barker. A brace from Daniel Martin and further goals from Peter Myerscough and Anthony McCluskie sealed a 4-0 win for Mayfield at Heysham.

Cartmel Reserves bounced back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over a weakened Kirkby Lonsdale thanks to goals from Cameron Young, Nathan Bushell and Brian Lowery. Oliver Blackburn scored the consolation for Kirkby.

The only game in Division Two saw Galgate Reserves run out deserved 4-2 winners over Tic Dyn/Overton Reserves.

Liam Roskell, Brock Rhodes, Matthew O’Brien with the goal of the game and Joe Edmondson were all on target for Galgate.

In Division Four, Arnside Reserves put on a good all round performance to beat cup winners Heysham Reserves by 3-2.

And Millhead Reserves won their last home game of the season when they beat Bentham Reserves 2-1.