NEW Hindsford manager Adam Scoular is refusing to write-off his side’s chances of claiming a fourth successive league title, despite going through the whole of February without a win.

The Squires lane men lost 3-2 at home to Elton Vale on Saturday and although still seventh in the Premier Division with games in hand on all of the teams above them, they will need a marked improvement in form and an upturn in results if they are to retain the championship trophy.

Nevertheless, Scoular insists his team’s destiny is still in their own hands and is still targeting top spot as he prepares for Saturday’s home game against current leaders Prestwich Heys.

“Ten wins from our remaining 13 games will be enough to win the title again,” he said.

“We can still finish on 69 points – and that would be more points than Hindsford have ever achieved in winning the league.

“We’ve obviously got to pick ourselves up because February was horrific. I’m glad to see the back of it.

“We’ve been missing players through suspension and injury, but we’ve got everybody back now so there can be no excuses.”

Hindsford twice got themselves back in the game on Saturday with Jack Valentine equalising after Vale had taken an early lead and Danny Doherty getting them back on terms after the visitors led 2-1 at half time. But Vale, who started the game fifth from bottom of the table, had the final word in a scrappy game.

Atherton Town’s dislike of 3G surfaces was evident as their progress up the Premier Division table was checked by a 4-0 defeat at East Manchester.

Town beat the Manchester men 6-1 three weeks earlier, prompting a change of manager and a number of personnel changes, which made them a completely different proposition this time round, especially on their own artificial surface.

“It’s the curse of 3G,” said Town boss Shaun Lynch. “We’ve never been comfortable on it.

“At 1-0 just before half time, we hit the bar and hit the post and we bossed the second half, but they scored from a set-piece and a penalty.”

Breightmet United claimed a hard-earned 2-1 win at Beechfield United.

They were in front after 20 minutes when Kurt Farlowe unleashed an unstoppable shot from 35 yards.

Dean Bancks doubled the lead from the penalty spot for a 2-0 half-time lead and although Beechfield pulled one back on the break 10 minutes into the second half, the Bolton side held out for a welcome three points.

Pennington’s lost 3-1 against second-placed Uppermill.

Trailing 2-0 at half time, they went further behind when they conceded a penalty. Substitute Danny Brooks scored a late consolation.

Leigh Athletic recovered from going 2-0 down at Irlam Steel to lead 3-2 with just seconds remaining, only to concede an equaliser with the last kick of the match.

Neil Turley led the Latics fightback after Irlam had doubled their 1-0 half-time lead and after Tim Lewis had got them back on terms, Turley scored what appeared to have been the winner, until the home side's late point-saver.