DANNY Warburton stole the show, scoring a hat-trick on his debut for CMB in a 6-0 victory over Walney Island that kept alive their Division Two promotion hopes.

A remarkable effort by the CMB groundsman ensured that their game went ahead, one of the few in the area to survive the heavy rain and snow.

The home side started brightly when a great cross from Calum Yearsley found the head of Michael McGinley, who forced a great close-range save from the Walney keeper.

Warburton opened the scoring with a neat finish from just inside the area, following great work again from Yearsley on the left-hand side.

He added a second shortly after, heading in a rebound following a McGinlay strike, and completed his hat-trick with an unbelievable 25-yard chip that left the keeper stranded.

CMB started the second half as they finished the first.

Great work by Scott McNair forced a fine save by the opposition keeper, with the resulting corner turned in from close range by Will Archer.

Archer made it five for the Chew Moor outfit, getting on the end of a fabulous Dave Edwards free kick.

And Yearsley scored a deserved sixth to complete the afternoon's scoring.

CMB manager Phil Roberts said: "This was just what we needed after two losses on the bounce and the disappointment of the shield semi-final being postponed.

"Danny Warburton was outstanding, scoring a hat-trick on his debut.

"There's a good buzz about the place at the moment with important players like Liam Carr and Tom Coan coming back from injury this coming week.

"We're all really looking forward to this weekend's league game against Ladybridge then the Lancashire Amateur Shield semi-final next Tuesday against AFC Monton."

Elsewhere, Stoneclough moved up to 10th – their highest ever position in Division Two – after a 2-1 win against Barrow Wanderers.

The visitors dominated the midfield and that set the tone for the victory.

Secretary Peter Conroy said: "It was a great result at Barrow. It can be a difficult place to play as it is open to the elements.

"Craig Gorman was superb in midfield as he smashed a long-range effort home.

"Then Joe McCann wrapped it up with another goal, but we were a bit complacent and let them score late on.

"We have eight games left and we just want to end on a high."

A Heath Ainscow goal saw Eagley take the lead in their Premier Division match against Coppull United, but their opponents hit back to win 2-1.

The results leaves the Eagles just out of the drop zone on goal difference, but Hesketh Bank below them have a game in hand