WINDERMERE denied title candidates Kendal County a vital victory when they tenaciously fought out a 2-2 draw in the Talbot Insurance Westmorland League on Saturday.

It was a disappointing result for County, who have drawn five times in the league and go into this Saturday's match at Wetheriggs United, the defending champions, knowing that only a win will keep their championship bid on track.

"We're throwing it away and making it easy for Coniston at the top," said County manager David Chambers. "It's not good enough. I can't fault the lads' work-rate or determination but it was the familiar story of poor quality in the final third. We need to find a ruthless streak in front of goal."

County are awaiting the return of striker Craig Walmsley after a hernia operation and were without keeper Nicky Dent, who is suspended. But as the teams tried to come to terms with a strong cross-wind Windermere defended doggedly and County failed to carve out a serious chance.

Windermere threatened on breakaways and nine minutes before the end of the first half, Justin Kydd's speculative lob from 30 yards beat County's deputy goalkeeper Kiel Tomlinson, who had strayed off his line.

County equalised before the break when Windermere keeper Mario Capaccio tipped a cross on to a post , a header hit the bar and Lee Blamire finally bundled the rebound in.

Windermere's growing confidence showed in the second half and after six minutes a ball through found Matt Parkinson, who made the most of a mix-up between the keeper and a defender to chase and stab the errant back-pass into goal and make it 2-1.

Midway through the second half, County finally got around the back of the defence and the cross found Paul Gratton in space to sidefoot in. For all their urgency County could not open the defence again as Windermere happily settled for a well-earned draw.

Ambleside United are "absolutely flying" at present says their young manager Matt Bland after a 6-2 victory over Victoria SC lifted them above those opponents and on to level points with Keswick, whom they play on Saturday.

Impressive on attack, Ambleside led 4-2 by half time but were guilty of poor defending at times and it needed keeper Robin Stott to make vital saves early in the second half to stop Victoria getting back into the match.

Two goals apiece for Ambleside's John Banks and Byron Stephenson were supplemented by further strikes from Tony Brown and Dan Ramsey.

Pick of the bunch was Brown's back-post header from a right-hand cross, while Stephenson came off the bench to score his brace with sharp close-range finishing.

Kendal Town Reserves let a 2-0 half-time lead slip away as Carleton Rovers came back to share the spoils in a 3-3 draw. Town's boss Andy Major described it as his side's 'worst performance this year' after they failed to build on a strong first-half display with Stephen Ellwood proving a thorn in Carleton's side as he struck twice before the break.

Poor marking and a defensive mix-up helped battling Carleton get back on to level terms and then go 3-2 up before Jimmy Ellwood spared Town's blushes with a 35-yard strike for the draw.

Staveley United lost 1-0 to Wetheriggs United for the third time this season, having twice been edged out by them in cup competitions.

Wetheriggs' struck midway through the first half to get their noses ahead and stay there.

Staveley's best opportunity of a draw came when a Ben Daniels' free kick hit the crossbar at the start of the second half.

Keswick and Penrith Reserves drew 1-1 with the other matches postponed because of waterlogging.