DAISY Hill’s challenge for promotion from the North West Counties First Division North appears to be wilting, with just one win since the turn of the year.

The Daisies had been poised for a tilt at gaining promotion when 2019 ended as Brian Hart’s men were firmly in the race at the top, handily placed fourth.

But a run of just one victory in seven games since – albeit an 8-3 drubbing of St Helens Town – has seen the New Sirs outfit slide down the table, and Monday night’s 4-1 defeat at home to AFC Liverpool leaves them 11th in the standings.

Now 13 points off the pace, and the same number clear of the bottom two, Hart’s fear that they could let a good first half of the season fade away has come to light.

In mitigation they have faced the runaway leaders and their nearest challengers in their last two outings but defeats in both games means they must hope for a dramatic upturn in fortunes over their remaining nine games if they are to stage a bid for a Premier Division place next season.

Daisy were one of the few teams to see action at the weekend, but perhaps wished they hadn’t as they let a 2-0 lead slip at leaders Lower Breck to leave empty-handed after a 4-3 defeat.

Jamie Ramwell, pictured right, had put the visitors ahead three minutes in and Tyler Rufus made it 2-0 on 53 minutes. But the Anfield side hit back immediately after Rufus’ goal, with half-time substitute Stephen Milne netting twice inside five minutes to level the game.

Ramwell hit his second from the penalty spot – which took him to 20 for the season – to put Daisy Hill back in front with 15 minutes to play.

But that lead lasted only a minute as Breck’s Liam Morris made it 3-3. And Milne completed his hat-trick eight minutes from time to give the table-toppers the victory.

“It was a decent game in tough conditions, both teams having a go,” Hart told the North West Counties site. “We gave ourselves a good platform going in at half time one up then scoring first to make it two.

“As is usual when that happens you’re vulnerable to conceding and we did. Great strike but it beat keeper on the near post which was disappointing.

“That gave them momentum and we stood off and got punished 2-2. We got a penalty to put us back in front but two lapses of concentration late on generously gave them the points.

“Great game for the neutrals but we shot ourselves in the foot.”

The Daisies returned home on Monday night for their next game, but again shipped four goals in a defeat to AFC Liverpool.

After going into the break 2-0 down, Jacob Ridings had given Daisy Hill hope when he halved the deficit five minutes into the second half.

But goals on 80 and 90 minutes by Daniel Cockerline, the scorer of the opening goal, not only gave him his hat-trick but also sealed a convincing win for the team in second.

In theory, things get slightly easier for Daisy Hill in the coming weeks, with a trip to fourth-bottom Garstang this Saturday and a game at Steeton the following Wednesday.

The amateur football schedule was decimated by the weather at the weekend, with only a handful of local sides seeing any action.

In the Manchester League Premier Division, Bolton County suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Walshaw Sports, Carl Airey hitting their goal.

Atherton Town were knocked out of the Murray Trophy in a penalty shoot-out following their 2-2 draw at home to Elton Vale, Calam Williamson scoring twice.

CMB lost their West Lancashire League Premier Division match at Fulwood Amateurs, despite Tom Healey scoring to give them a half-time lead.

In the Premier Division of the Lancashire Amateur League, Little Lever were beaten 2-0 at Mostonians