Unisun Athletic completed a vital 2-1 win at Workington Juniors to take a firm grip on the Cumberland County League’s Premier Division.
They are four points clear of champions Maryport Athletic, with a game in hand of all their nearest rivals.
After a goal-less first-half Unisun eventually clinched the points with goals from Mikey Williamson and Ollie Reay, with Shane Roe on target for Workington.
There was another faltering performance from fading champions Maryport Athletic who were held 1-1 by Wigton Harriers – who had also drawn in the reverse fixture at Barton Laws earlier in the season.
Wigton had led at half-time through Andy Hill but Darren Rule earned his side a point with his second-half equaliser.
Whitehaven Miners Social blasted their way into third place with a 10-1 home win over bottom side Cleator Moor Celtic reserves.
Bradley Keenan (2), Nathan Walkinshaw, Owen Woods, Bradley O’Pray, Braydon Walmsley, Musse Nessibu, Aiden Smith and Alex Parr scored the goals with Luke Youdale replying for Celtic.
Mirehouse are fourth, on the same number of points as Miners from the same number of games, but with just a slightly poorer goal difference.
They were 3-1 winners at Aspatria with goals from Keenan McKay (2) and Robbie Swinburn all in the first half before Andrew Trestianu pulled one after the break for the hosts.
The fifth scheduled Premier Division fixture between Cockermouth reserves and Keswick was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.
Also postponed was the Division One game, for the same reason, between Bransty and Silloth.
The top three sides in Division One all won with Dearham still maintaining their two point advantage over Northbank and Cockermouth reserves not giving up the chase behind them.
Dearham were 4-0 winners at home to Whitehaven reserves with goals from Matty Oglanby, Danny Dryden, Oliver Scott and Aaron Lister.
Cockermouth reserves won by the same scoreline against bottom side Carlisle City Development as Ben Wright, Nathan Kemp, Ewan Trestianu and Joey Briers found the back of the net.
But Northbank had to battle hard for their 2-1 win in a Carlisle derby at Unisun Athletic Development after leading 1-0 at the break.
Charlie Thomson and Sam Rae scored with Harley Rooke on the mark for Unisun.
