THE three points from this win against bottom club Milnthorpe Corinthians took Springfields to the top of the West Lancashire League First Division.

Yet it was only the superior finishing of Springfields against Corinthians' inability to convert their many chances that was the difference between the two sides.

After an even opening 20 minutes Corinthians brought the best out of former Kendal Town keeper, Lee Ward.

A Pashley cross from the left found onrushing midfielder Brookes at the edge of the area. His low drive looked destined for the bottom corner but Ward reacted superbly with a one-handed save.

Energetic Johnson was then released down Cors right. He slipped the ball in to Postlethwaite, who rounded the last defender only for the ball to bobble out of play.

Springfields took the lead on 25 minutes. A throw on the left was knocked into the path of a midfielder. As Sharpe came out to narrow the angle, the ball was chipped over him.

Cors had two strong penalty claims rejected then Pashley beat two defenders before slightly scuffing a shot which still forced Ward to get down quickly to save.

In the second half Springfields showed their footballing pedigree and extended their lead when a corner was flicked on at the near post to the centre forward on the back post who fired low into the net.

A third goal was then conceded, but Cors introduced pacey Jamie Carr. Within minutes, he raced on to a through ball from Tony McOoey, but a wicked bobble on the turf sent his shot well wide.

Another Springfields right wing corner was swung in and Sharpe could only palm the ball to the feet of an unmarked opponent whose low shot found a clear path through the myriad of legs for a fourth goal, which flattered the Preston-based side.

Another Cors attack saw Pashley tripped 25 yards from goal. His curling free-kick was of such quality that even the outstanding Ward could only watch it fly inside his right hand post.

On another day, against another keeper, Cors could have got some reward for their efforts in this game.

Meanwhile BAE Barrow SC made it through to the quarter-finals of the Lancashire FA Interserve Shield by beating Manchester League Division One side Elton Vale 3-1.

Having two men dismissed, one in each half, floored Vale, who had taken an early lead. Lee O'Keefe equalised before the interval before Mike Otto and Carl Pearson wrapped things up in the second half.

Millom were home to West Lancashire League Premier Division side Coppull United, who beat them 2-1, Carl Waters the home scorer.

Playing on a pitch more suited for mud wrestling, Dalton United lost 2-1 to Manchester League Premier outfit Hindsford United, Stuart Shaw hit the consolation goal.

In the President's Cup Bootle were home to basement side Crosshills and ran out 4-0 winners though Scott Redhead, Craig Redhead, Brian Dawson and A. Moore.

Division Two action brought a 2-0 win for Paul Bradley's Askam United over Whinney Hill. Mark Johnson and Gary Foxon were on target.

Furness Premier League results: Rifleman's Garage Premier Division: BAE Barrow SC Reserves 2, Furness Cavaliers Reserves 1; Barrow Celtic 0, Holker Old Boys Reserves 1; Furness Rovers Reserves 2, GSK Ulverston Rangers Reserves 1; Haverigg United 2, Askam United Reserves 1; Vickerstown 5, Dalton United Reserves 1; Walney Island 3, Bootle Reserves 2.

Premier Tiles First Division: Barrow Island 8, Walney Island Reserves 1; Furness Hotel 2, Vickerstown Reserves 1; Furness Rovers A v BAE Barrow A (postponed); Haverigg United Reserves 4, Barrow Celtic Reserves 0; Kirkby United 2, Furness Rovers Seniors 1; Last Orders 1, Holker Old Boys A 2, Millom A 3, Barrow Wanderers 1.