Halton Rangers deservedly beat leaders and current champions Storeys 2-0.

Storeys player-manager Steve Stirzaker missed a couple of early chances before Halton went on to dominate.

Chris Wright ran the midfield for Halton and set both goals up for striker Steven Hay to severely dent Storeys hopes of retaining its title.

Cartmel also sprung a surprise with a 2-1 win over Highgrove in a fantastic game of football.

Cartmel showed plenty of determination to open up a 2-0 lead with two goals from an in-form Dean Richards.

Highgrove battled back and finally got some reward when with just three minutes remaining, Luke Ogley scored from the spot but Cartmel hung on.

The defeats to Storeys and Highgrove allowed Marsh United to close the gap with a win over TIC Dynamos, whose last chance of winning the title has surely gone.

Both sides played some very good football but the Marsh side had the better cutting edge with Liam Moffatt and Jordan Sparks scoring in their 2-1 win. TIC could only manage one with Nick Sullivan getting his first of the season.

Carnforth Rangers had a harder game than they thought against Galgate.

The breakthrough came for Rangers when Matthew Garwood bent a free-kick around the wall and into the net. This inspired Galgate into action but they were denied by Chris Parry, the Carnforth keeper.

But Carnforth responded after the break and Paul Taylor's corner was headed in by Adam Iley before Daniel Syson rounded off the day with a great goal to make it 3-0.

Caton United entertained Morecambe Hoops, a team that had beaten them in the first game of the season by 12-1. There were lots of goals in the game again but this time it was more of an even clash.

Darren Green scored from the spot but Hoops levelled through Chris McMenimin. The Hoops then raced into a 5-1 wind-assisted lead at half-time with goals by McMenimin, Alan Fisher, Rob Goldsborough and Paul Dewhirst.

The second half saw a transformation as Caton – boosted by the wind – incredibly drew level at 5-5 with goals from Green, Lee Beniston, a wonder shot by Dave Wood and Dave Bamford.

Caton threw everything forward looking for their first win of the season but Dewhirst made it 6-5 to the Hoops before being sent off.

Caton pushed forward again but were caught out again when Kevin Burns ended Caton's brave attempt to get something out of the game.

Caton's stand-in keeper Billy Smith made a terrific penalty save from Hoops veteran and ex-Caton manager Tommy Kelly.

Another game spoilt by a gale force wind was Morecambe Royals v Kirkby Lonsdale.

Royals had the wind first but were stunned went they went 1-0 behind to Brian Pennington after the keeper was caught out by the wind.

The Royals then took control and had most of the possession. They levelled through Matthew Armistead before half-time and the game ended level which was probably the fairest result.

In Division One, Bentham had a good 3-0 win over Boys Club. Jamie Parker scored the first two goals for Bentham but it took until Gary Louth scored to make the game safe. This win moves Bentham up to second.

College AFC helped Bentham by inflicting Slyne-with-Hest (LCC)'s first defeat of the season in a good game.

College took the lead after just 10 minutes when Tim Breen smashed the ball into the net but Slyne went in front through Michael Dennwood and Lee Davies, with a free-kick.

Wayne Dixon levelled the scores again and in the last minute, College won the game when Shane Evans' cross was caught in the wind and the ball drifted into the net.

Grange must have felt hard done to when they lost 6-2 to Morecambe Royals Reserves.

David Spendlove and David Robinson scored for Grange but Royals took their chances with the superb Aidan Dunphy scored a thrilling hat-trick.

Ingleton Reserves deservedly held Marsh United Reserves to a 1-1 draw. Ben O'Hagan scored for Ingleton with Mark Hetherington replying.

Bowerham had to battle hard against Storeys Reserves before coming out on top, winning 2-1 to strengthen their promotion challenge. Daniel Knowles scored for Storeys but goals by winger Joe Bouskill and Andy Strachan won it.

Cartmel Reserves are now starting to improve and they beat bottom club Torrisholme FC 4-1 with Alastair Daggart, Jack Gill (2) and Brian Lowery scoring. Rob O'Brien replied.

Division Two promotion hopefuls Arnside were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by Slyne-with-Hest (LCC)'A'.

Leaders Bolton-le-Sands had a much harder game than they thought against Swarthmoor Reserves. Alex Bateson and David Blessington – on his 40th birthday – secured the points.

Morecambe Cricket Club thrashed Galgate Reserves 7-2 with six different scorers, Graham Cassidy scoring twice.

Kirkby Lonsdale Reserves could not provide the form it showed last week when they knocked Furness Rovers out of the cup – this time losing in the league.

One spell of football brought the only goal scored by the dynamic Joe Leslie to keep Furness on track for promotion.

Freehold Fc, having not kicked a ball for seven weeks, were lucky to snatch all three points against bottom team Caton United Reserves.

Caton shook Freehold when Andy Stackhouse lobbed them in front in the first half.

Freehold finally got the goals they had been desperate for with goals from James Watters and Ian Palwankar.

Division Three leaders Allithwaite Rangers left it late before beating Boys Club Reserves 1-0.

Bentham Reserves were just not quite good enough to beat Halton Rangers Reserves.

Halton were the better side in front of goals and Richard McDonnell grabbed two goals, Oliver Wales rubbing salt into the wounds with the third. Shane Earl scored what turned out to be a consolation.

Burton Thistle moved up to fourth with a 4-1 win over bottom side Grange Reserves. Gregson made heavy weather of beating a 10-man Bolton Le Sands Reserves side, 2-0.

Arnside Reserves looked to be on their way to only their second win of the season when Andy Boyd scored a 30-yard free-kick against Heysham only for Daniel Ridley to level.

Division Four leaders Morecambe Gold were given the run around for 80 minutes by Heysham Reserves who led through Jason Conroy.

However, Gold turned it around in the last 10 minutes with sub Paul Rose and Dean Kennedy snatching late goals.

Gregson Reserves and Villa Royale served up a good game of football, Gregson leading 2-1 at the break. But Royale rallied after the break and goals from Scott Butterworth and Jamie Luraschi sealed their win.

* The team of the month for January was won by Bentham but only on goal difference from, Morecambe Royals Reserves, Bowerham, Gregson and Marsh United, who all won three games in the month.