IT was the Liam Fitzmorris and Glenn Heapey show as Howe Bridge Mills earned their second successive 3-2 victory.

The wingers provided all three goals and assists in the win at Old Blackburnians which cemented their position in lower mid-table.

Sixteen-year-old Fitzmorris put his side ahead on 20 minutes when he chested down Heapey’s cross and smashed in a half-volley from the corner edge of the box.

Old Blackburnians equalised on 30 minutes and Fitzmorris restored the lead five minutes later with a diving header from another Heapey cross.

It was level again five minutes before half time when centre-half Peter Monks handled on the line to save a certain goal and conceded a penalty and received a red card.

But the 10 men went ahead for the third time on 50 minutes when Fitzmorris supplied the cross for Heapey to head home at the far post.

“We were never really in any danger in the second half, even with a man down,” said Howe Bridge official Vinny Monks.

“We were solid and still have the best chances with Martin Parkinson and Dominic Shinks missing one-on-ones.”

At the top of the table Old Bolts responded to their first defeat of the season the previous week by winning 3-0 at Little Lever.

Sean Rushton and Darren Dalton both hit the bar and Matt McClellan fired just wide as the leaders were the better team in a goalless first half.

Nick Holt, who has moved up from the third team in the last 12 months, was outstanding in centre midfield for Old Bolts, and it was another man who has come from the thirds, Jamie Brabbin, who broke the deadlock on 55 minutes.

The substitute headed home a corner and Sean Rushton made the game safe with a deflected effort on 70 minutes and another shot 10 minutes later.

They extended their lead to 12 points following a shock 6-0 home defeat for Castle Hill at the hands of Tottington.

Manager of the Tonge Moor side, Rob Rostron, said: “We’ve no excuses. The scoreline was a fair reflection of our performance. It was terrible.”