Knutsford 5 Denton Town 0

KNUTSFORD returned to winning ways - and the Cheshire League summit - with a five-goal hammering of Denton on Saturday.

Thomas Rutter's treble, plus goals from David Owens and Sean Lynch, helped the hosts end a sequence of three successive defeats in the Premier Division.

And that was enough to take over top spot from Whaley Bridge, even if only on goal difference, with their rivals on cup duty elsewhere.

Defender Josh Wates created the opening goal after three minutes, surging forward from the edge of his own box before teeing up Rutter to score.

Lynch headed over when he met Joe Lucas' cross-field pass while at the other end goalkeeper John Stanway, back between the posts after serving a suspension, saved smartly from a free kick.

Lee Mannion was first to test the visitors’ shot-stopper Gavin Affleck after the interval, forcing him to parry a set piece from distance.

The same player turned provider four minutes later, his curling pass picking out Lynch and the wide man needed only a single touch before doubling Reds' lead.

It was 3-0 on 70 minutes after Wates completed an interception before serving Rutter for a second time.

Points safe, the hosts added gloss when Mark Evans supplied a pass from which Rutter blasted in his hat-trick goal despite being forced wide by Denton's custodian.

A fifth goal arrived on shortly afterwards, this time when Mannion's assist reached Owens, and the front man helped himself to a 14th goal of the season after coming face-to-face with Affleck.

Malpas, promoted from League One at the end of last term, will visit Manchester Road this weekend.

Knutsford A visit Billinge reserves at the same time..

Reds Stanway, Lucas, Wates (Brotherton 70), Jenyons, Beattie (Torbitt 67), Mannion, Pickford, Evans, Lynch (Davies 69), Owens, Rutter