LADYBRIDGE kept alive their promotion bid from West Lancashire League Division One with a 5-2 win against Askam United at St John's Park.

Kicking against the strong wind and driving rain, Dave Walker's side started well and should have took the lead when Harry Brazel's through-ball sent Jay Mannion clear but the keeper saved well.

After a couple of good chances were missed, the home side took the lead when Sam Parkinson reacted quickest to slot home after Mannion's flick-on.

They doubled their lead when Gary Whiteside squared to Brazel who tapped into the empty net after a good spell of Ladybridge pressure.

Askam were given a lifeline when a long distance shot was parried in the tough conditions and Askam's Kris McLean reacted quickest to slot home from the rebound on 40 minutes.

Ladybridge started the second half well and missed two gilt-edged chances, the second a great well worked move which saw Aaron Thorpe send Mannion clear but once again the Askam keeper foiled him.

Askam levelled against the run of play with a 30-yard strike from Luke Reid.

Ladybridge upped the tempo again and took the lead when Jay Mannion hit a 25-yard strike into the roof of the net on the hour-mark.

His second quickly followed when Parkinson raced clear and squared the ball to Mannion who slid the ball into the net.

Aaron Thorpe returning to the side from injury put the finishing touches to a good win when he drove the ball home from Whiteside's pull back after another good move on 70 minutes.

Further chances were created but the game finished 5-2.

Manager Walker said: "There were some excellent performances out on the pitch and that was a very good team performance in difficult conditions."

Meanwhile, fellow Division One rivals Turton crashed out of the Lancashire Amateur Shield after a 7-0 defeat to Premier League side Blackpool Wren Rovers and the management team of Neil Johnson, Neil Hart and Mark Winstanley will be keen to get back to winning ways as they entertain table-toppers Burscough Richmond on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Premier Division side Eagley's recent good form came to an end with a 4-2 defeat to Garstang at Dunscar.

On a heavy wet pitch Garstang started well and were 4-0 up just after the break.

Eagley rallied and had the final say with substitute Simon Neary grabbing two late goals.

Elsewhere, in the Manchester Football League Division One, Breightmet United picked up their first win in four matches after defeating Beechfield Utd 3-2.

Hosts Beechfield were 2-1 up at half-time with Jason Brooks on target.

But Simon Roberts' Breightmet side fought back with Osman Karacan and Ben Walmsley wrapping up the victory.