SIMON Wilcox has stepped down as manager of Breightmet United to conentrate on his committee work at the Moss Park club.

Wilcox, who has been in charge of United’s first team for two years, announced his resignation after Saturday’s 4-3 defeat at Heywood St James.

But he explained his decision had nothing to do with results in the early stages of the Division One campaign.

“I’m staying at the club and staying on the committee,” he said.

“But something has to give. I need to step back and let someone else run the first team and make sure the rest of the club is run right.

“The club comes first and this is for the good of the club. It is set up to do well over the next few years.

“I’ve loved every minute of working with the first team but with so many other duties I’ve had to spread myself too thinly. It’s time for someone else to take over.”

Wilcox’s hopes of signing off with a win at Heywood were wrecked in a disastrous first half hour when the home side stormed into a three-goal lead.

But a switch of formation, from 4-4-2 to their more familiar 4-3-3, turned the game on its head. Kyle Bailey pulled a goal back a minute into the second half and youngster Curtis Harbord got it back to 3-2, only for the home side to restore their two-goal advantage with a fourth goal on the break.

Harbord scored a second almost immediately to put the game back in the balance, but United were unable to find an equaliser.

Meanwhile, Hindsford’s quest for an historic fourth successive Premier Division title was boosted by an impressive 3-0 win at Elton Vale.

Goals from Scott Weir and Ben Meredith put the Squires Lane men in control and Nelson Motta wrapped up the victory after the break.

Atherton Town contributed to their own downfall at Walshaw Sports where they lost 4-3 after twice leading in the first half.

In the end the scoreline could have been even worse but for a good performance by keeper Matt Dewhurst, who made a number of good saves, including a first-half penalty.

Jordan Smith put Shaun Lynch’s side in front on 10 minutes and after Walshaw had pulled one back Matt Eckersley put them back in front.

But after Dewhurst had denied Walshaw from the spot, he was beaten by a second penalty as the home side equalised on the stroke of half time.

Walshaw went in front for the first time just after half time but Ryan Corbett got Town back on terms, only for defensive errors to gift Walshaw a winner 10 minutes from time.

Pennington, still finding their feet after returning to Division One, had to settle for a point with a 1-1 draw at home to Wilmslow Albion.

Steve Anderton put them in front on 25 minutes and missed a chance to double the lead before half time.

Pennington were well on top but conceded an equaliser 10 minutes from time and although they had the ball in the net for a second time in the dying seconds, the effort was disallowed for offside.

Leigh Athletic played considerably better at Chadderton Reserves than a 7-3 defeat would suggest.

Trailing 3-0 at half time to three breakaway goals, the Latics came back strongly with goals from Danny Eaton and Karl Shepherd.

Chadderton scored twice more before Neil Sumner scored Latics’ third. But any hope of rescuing a point was dashed when the Leigh side had Tom Scott and Tony Lewis sent off for two yellow cards and the home side scored twice more to wrap up the victory.