Neston South Wirral 2nd 0 Knutsford 2

JIM Halling's double at the weekend keeps Knutsford out in front in a race for the title, and ended the hopes of a direct rival.

The Black Knights are also the first team in North West League Division Two to reach a century of goals for the campaign after extending a winning run to nine matches.

They will expect to extend that sequence when back-markers Wrexham Glyndwr arrive at Westfield Drive this Saturday, push back 2pm.

The visitors twice wasted chances to take the leading during the opening quarter of an hour at Neston, leaving them grateful to goalkeeper Tom Wright for a string of fine saves at the other end.

When Knutsford edged ahead, they were a man down while Mat Hodge cooled off after tangling with an old foe.

Sam Bowker, a hat-trick hero seven days earlier, and Tom Howard combined to serve Halling, who kept calm while applying a slotted finish before the break.

The pattern did not deviate after the interval; two committed teams going for victory in a physical contest.

Neston, narrow losers at Knutsford in this season's previous meeting, had opportunities to level.

However they were floored by a sucker punch in the closing stages.

After Dave Price's initial shot from a short corner had been parried, he miscued a second attempt.

Fortunately for the away side, it diverted to Halling who deflected the ball into an empty net.

A victory this weekend will ensure at least second spot, and with it promotion back to the league's top flight.