NARROW margins could be the difference for Astley and Tyldesley this season as they sit mid-table in a compact Greater Manchester League Division One.

The Gin Pit outfit find themselves potentially one win away from a promotion spot but also one defeat away from the relegation zone in a tightly-contested league.

Of the 12 teams in the second tier four will promoted and four relegated.

Astley and Tyldesley currently sit sixth since their move from the Bolton Association at the beginning of the season.

And skipper Jimmy Cutt explains his excitement of having so much on the line in each and every game.

“We have never played divisional cricket before but it's exciting,”Cutt said. “Knowing so many teams can go up or down makes it interesting,

“I remember at this point last season there were some teams who were mid-table and had nothing really to play for come the end of the season.

“The first half of the season has been okay. We have lost a few games where we think we could have won but we will improve ourselves for the second half and give the top four a good go.”

Saturday's match against another former Bolton Association side, Swinton Moorside, was abandoned without play.

And rain has been a constant problem for Cutt's side this season as they struggle to pick up any momentum.

He added: “We are bang on mid-table. We sit sixth I think but we have had about three games abandoned and it's hard to get going with all the disruptions.

“The weather just seems to be making fools out of us. It will be nice and sunny all week and then when it comes to the weekend it just pours down.

“We tried out best to get the game on but it just proved impossible in the end.”