AIR MILES Manchester Football League Review of the Week: ELTON Vale's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Air Miles Manchester League Premier Division were dented as they lost 4-1 at Atherton Town.

Clint McLoughlin scored twice for Town before Danny Christie and Andy Morris ensured victory, with Steve Smith snatching Vale's response.

Highfield United climbed into the top half of the table after edging past New Mills 4-3 in a thriller at Seedfield.

Marly Clarke struck twice for Field, together with Sean Griffiths and Andy Roberts. Danny Jackson, Stacey Wild and Julian Dowe bagged the Millers' goals.

Hindsford AFC could not stop runaway Division Two leaders Avro securing promotion, losing 2-1 despite an impressive performance.

Danny Woods scored for Hindsford, but Avro won the game thanks to goals from Colin Shenton and Ian Blair.

Mid-table Unsworth beat bottom club Manchester Titans 3-2.z

BREAKING AWAY: Elton Vale's Dave Wilkes, right, tries to escape the attentions of Atherton Town's Tony Walker

Congratulations go to Avro as their 2-1 win over Hindsford AFC secured a top two berth for the Failsworth side, goals from Colin Shenton and Ian Blair settling the result against their impressive visitors, who replied through Danny Woods.

Old Alts stay second thanks to a 3-2 home win over Heywood St James, but the heat is on in the chase for the second promotion spot.

AFC Blackley cruised to a comprehensive 5-0 victory at Wythenshawe Town, and Old Standians dug in to claim a vital 3-2 at Ashton Athletic.

Hollinwood's excellent recent form continued with a 1-0 win at Rochdale Sacred Heart, and Tintwistle Villa stormed to a 3-0 win over Swinton Town with a great second half display.

Unsworth ran out 3-2 to the good from the visit of Manchester Titans, whilst Milton did slightly better in winning 4-2 at Stand Athletic.

Ian Hulme's 70th minute strike secured Premier Division title favourites Royton Town a valuable three points from the visit of Stockport Georgians, and kept open the three point gap with the chasing pack.

Prestwich Heys matched Town with a 1-0 home win over Springhead, Jon Lyons netting the decisive goal in a lively first half at Sandgate.

There was a tense local derby at Blocksages where Dukinfield Town claimed the local bragging rights with a 3-2 win, Reni Tumini, Colin Hill and Rob Graham hitting Duki's goals with Graham Burns and Darren Lyons on target for East.

There was a seven goal thriller at Seedfield where Highfield United edged past New Mills 4-3 and climb into the top half of the table, Marly Clarke struck twice, together with Sean Griffiths and Andy Roberts for 'Field, Danny Jackson, Stacey Wild and Julian Dowe bagging the Millers' goals.

Elton Vale's brave effort to stave off relegation were dented as they slipped to a 4-1 defeat at Atherton Town, Danny Christie and Andy Morris adding to a Clint McLoughlin brace for Town, Steve Smith snatching Vale's response, and the Bury side's destiny now lies in others fortunes in the final weeks.