THE race for the runners-up spot in the Bolton at Home Sunday League Division One behind title-winners Queen Anne gathered pace at the weekend.

Second-placed Top Club faced fellow contenders Astley Bridge Elite, and knowing it was their last league game, they went all out for the three points.

In the first 15 minutes Top Club pressed to get the opening goal and they came close with Travis Vaughn testing the Astley Bridge keeper with an excellent 25-yard shot.

However, Astley Bridge weathered the storm and with 25 minutes gone they took the lead through a Chris Donoghue penalty after Josh McClaren was brought down by Top Club defender Mark Statham.

The rest of the first half saw defences on top but after the interval, Top Club upped their game and got a well-deserved equaliser on the hour mark.

Vaughn broke down the right and put in an excellent cross to find top goalscorer Jordan Deane who added to his tally.

But try as they might, Top Club could not find a second goal as the match ended all-square.

The third team in the running for second place is Great Lever Taskers who travelled to Harper Green to take on Dehaviland FC, who are much improved of late.

Great Lever knew nothing but a victory was needed and Tony Wostencroft's men came away with a satisfying  4-0 win. Their first and second goals came from the ever-reliable veteran Arron McCarthy who has now took his tally of goals for this season to 30.

In the second half two further goals from Gaz Colquitt and Shane Byrne secured the points.

Top Club have finished their fixtures and have 27 points.

Great Lever are third on 24 points with two games left, closely followed by Astley Bridge Elite who have 23 points with three matches remaining – one of which is against Great Lever.

In Division Two, Deane FC finished their league fixtures with a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Bradford Arms B with goals from Nathan Hatton (hat-trick), Mark Laithwaite (two) and Carl Dumbarton for Deane and Michael Lloyd (two), Chris Partington (two) and Liam Churchill replying for Bradford Arms B.

The victory assured Deane of a fourth-placed finish.