PAUL Oldham did the dirty work for Ladybridge as they won their West Lancashire League Division One derby with Stoneclough 3-1.

The home team had raced into a 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes, courtesy of Mitch Leese’s brace, but were pegged back soon after by the visitors’ star performer, Jason Perry.

Ladybridge had to scrap manfully to get to half time with a lead but once Oldham was assigned his thoroughly physical man-marking task Stoneclough could not muster a response in the second half, and Reece Charlton’s third goal 10 minutes from time sealed victory.

Oldham’s work did not go unnoticed by the man handing him the spoiler role, as he followed Perry throughout the second half, snuffed out his supply from midfield and was a vital part of the win.

“They were at their strongest towards the end of the first half,” said Ladybridge manager Dean Walmsley. “They really came at us after our good start, so half time came at the right time for us.

“We needed to regroup and I had to tell the lads not to sit off as much as they had, that’s where we were going wrong.

“Paul was told to man-mark Jason Perry and he stuck to him throughout, they weren’t in the game in the second half because of him.”

While Stoneclough remain in mid-table and comfortably clear of any threat of relegation, Ladybridge still sit uneasily above the drop-zone with just one league game to play.

But although the sides beneath them in the table all have games in hand Walmsley feels they have enough points on the board not to suffer any sleepless nights.

“We needed the three points from Saturday’s game, it gives us a good chance,” he added. “The pressure is on the other teams, we’ve got the points so it’s up to the others to see if they can catch us.”

Stoneclough’s Peter Conroy said his side had few complaints about the result, though he admits the third goal added a degree of insult to injury for them.

“Fair play to Ladybridge, they dealt with the artificial pitch and the conditions better than we did and they caught us cold,” he said. “They were bombing us early on and they scored with two good finishes to go 2-0 up then we got into it and played some nice football.

“I thought once we’d pulled one back midway through the first half we would go on to win.

“Jason (Perry) was causing them problems but we weren’t finishing the chances we had, then we got caught with that sucker-punch late on.

“We couldn’t overpower them and left ourselves open at the back.

“I hope they stay in the division, we’ll have to wait and see if they have enough points now.”

Stoneclough are back on the road this Saturday as they travel to Hurst Green. Ladybridge face a long lay-off before their final Division One fixture, when they go to Hurst Green on April 22.

Elsewhere, Eagley’s Premier Division survival prospects were helped by a 2-1 win at home to Southport Hesketh.

Jon Stephenson was on target for both goals, but manager Simon Whaley says victory came through a real team effort, and it is that togetherness that could yet see them escape the drop.

“It was a good win, to be honest I don’t think the scoreline was a true reflection of the game,” he said. “We could have scored six or seven, it was a group effort and there is still a good buzz about the club.

“I wish we had been like this back in August, we definitely wouldn’t be in the position we are in now if we had.

“We brought in a couple of lads who have been doing really well in the reserves, Ryan Hardridge and Jordan Hibbert, they have been knocking on the door for a while and I’ve told them I will give lads a chance to step up and show what they can do. And the reserves did well without them, they had a great win against a team at the top of their division.”

Eagley remain bottom of the Premier Division despite the victory but there is no talk of throwing in the towel at the club, particularly during a month that could shape the rest of their campaign.

Eagley, still to collect a point on their travels, go to fellow strugglers Crooklands Casuals this weekend, followed by derbies at Tempest United and Turton.

And Whaley feels if his side can maintain their intensity and work rate they will give themselves a chance of ensuring top-flight football next term.

“We have changed our training regime and stepped up our intensity,” he said. “We have a big few weeks coming up and because it’s tight down at the bottom we can make up the gap, we just need a good run of results.

“I think it will go down to the wire and I’m looking to have lads out there who want to work hard for 90 minutes.

“The lads are starting to believe so we’re going to put in the hard graft right to the end of the season.”

Eagley’s Premier Division rivals Tempest United were defeated 3-1 at Hesketh Bank, Tom Booth scoring their consolation, while Turton brought a point home after their 1-1 draw at Coppull United, Danny Locke on the mark for the Tigers.

CMB’s Division One game at Dalton United was postponed.