PREMIER Division leaders Kirkby Lonsdale showed no sign of cracking as they convincingly beat second-placed CCM Dynamos 3-1.

In a quiet and even first half, in which both sides missed chances, they were separated only by a Steve Chapman goal after 35 minutes when he capitalised on a bad defensive error in front of the Dynamos goal.

The second half was much better as both sides went looking for goals. Chapman gave Kirkby a 2-0 lead from a hotly-disputed penalty. Then, as Dynamos pressed forward, man of the match Brian Pennington made sure of the points for Kirkby with a superb header from a corner.

Steve Wiggins scored a late goal for Dynamos, but it was too little, too late in a defeat, which probably put an end to their own hopes of the championship.

Marsh United moved into second place after beating Ingleton 2-0 in an excellent game of end-to-end football. This third defeat in a row looks like the end of Ingleton's title challenge as they went behind to a Lee Sparkes goal then conceded a penalty converted by Jimmy Love.

In Division One, a good Millhead side gave leaders Torrisholme a fright before losing 4-3.

A superb Derek Davidson goal opened the scoring for Millhead, but Torrisholme equalised through Alan Hoyle. Michael Presswood restored Millhead's lead when he easily beat the keeper only for Torrisholme to fight back again through a Craig Holmes goal.

Millhead took the lead for the third time through Darren Mawdsley. Torrisholme threw caution to the winds and it paid off with Holme equalising then completing his hat-trick.

Troubled Burton Thistle are now just one point off the relegation places after a 5-0 drubbing by second-placed City Contract Services.

In Division Two, Grange's promotion hopes suffered a serious set-back when they were well beaten by lowly Torrisholme Reserves who netted a goal in each half for a 2-0 victory.

Despite a good start to the season Kirkby Lonsdale Rangers are now being dragged into the battle to avoid relegation. In a game of all-out attack from both sides they lost 4-3 to Westgate Rangers. Danny Walker, Pedro Sanchez and Andy Smith scored for Kirkby.

In Division Three, Carnforth Rangers' record of 16 straight wins came to an end with a 1-0 defeat by strugglers AFC Moorlands.

Millhead Reserves made it six wins and a draw from their last seven games by beating a good young Grange Reserves side 3-2. Although Millhead opened up a 2-0 lead with two goals from Jamie Nicholls they could not shake of Grange and Lee Harrison pulled a goal back. Nicholls then completed his hat-trick, but Luke Foster scored a second for gallant Grange who then could not quite manage an equaliser.

Allithwaite Reserves never gave up against Gregson, but could not contain the visitors who ran out 5-2 winners. Dave Robinson scored both Allithwaite goals.

Burton Thistle Reserves beat Poulton United 3-1 through an own goal and two from Steven Webster.

Bentham went out of the Craven District FA Morrison Cup in the first round, beaten 2-1 by a good Rolls Royce side. Rolls Royce took an early lead only for Bentham's leading scorer Gary Louth to equalise. Bentham were then unlucky to concede a second goal.

In the North Lancashire League Adam and Gaskell Senior Cup, Division One side Swarthmoor SC put up a good performance against Premier side Cartmel before losing 3-1.

Swarthmoor matched Cartmel through the first half, which ended goalless. Ben Clarke opened the scoring for Cartmel in this second-round match, but Graham Wilcock cancelled out the goal almost immediately.

Joel Drinkall scored a fine goal to restore Cartmel's lead then netted again to put the tie beyond Swarthmoor.

Cartmel now meet Bentham in the quarter-final.

Holders Swarthmoor Reserves lost their grip on the Squires/Fisher/Howson Cup when they were beaten 4-1 by last year's runners-up Ingleton Reserves.

Ingleton got off to a perfect start in this second-round match with a headed goal by Alex Hartley after two minutes and Mick Russell adding a second after 13.

Swarthmoor replied with a cracking goal from Jamie Donald after 25 minutes then went looking for an equaliser. Somehow Ingleton held on and in the second half Mark Hodgson made it 3-1 from a breakaway. A penalty converted by Dave Shaw rounded off the scoring for Ingleton.

In a third-round match Highgrove Reserves showed no mercy on Arnside Reserves, comfortably beating them 5-1. Malcolm Bellamy scored the Arnside consolation.