GOAL difference is still all that separates Kirkby United and Bootle at the top of the Furness Premier League Premier Division after both won on Saturday.

Kirkby had Sam Pinnegor (2) and Paul Cleasby to thank as they beat Barrow Celtic 3-1. Stuey Thompson replied for Celtic in a game well officiated by Jimmy McLeish.

Bootle are level on points and games played with United and they kept up the pressure with a 3-2 win at Britannia.

Aaron Bradley (2) and Matty Clarke were the Bootle scorers while Oliver Smith missed a penalty. Daz Clarke and Sean Darby were the Brits goalscorers.

Croftlands Park’s title charge was pegged back after they lost 2-0 away to Haverigg United, with the hosts goals coming from Rio McQuistan and Paul Barker.

Vickerstown reserves moved up to fourth on the back of a 3-2 win over Dalton United reserves at Railway Meadow.

Youngster Tom Dawson scored twice for Vickerstown and Max Green was also on target.

Holker Old Boys reserves’ Sam Lightfoot was the hero as his goal was all that separated them from opponents Hawcoat Park reserves in a 1-0 win.

Dec Pugh and Carl Waters grabbed a goal each in Millom reserves’ 2-1 win against Swarthmoor Social.

Furness Cavaliers reserves blooded plenty of youngsters in their game against Walney Island reserves as they went down 4-3.

Ben McDonald (2) and Callum Lamb were the scorers for Cavs, and Luca Fleming (2), Kyle Carter and Dane Townsend were all on target for Walney.

Barrow Wanderers are in the hat for the Horne Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Askam United reserves, with Dan Turner (2) Scott McDonald and Lewis Waterston the Wanderers scorers.

Bridge United beat Swarthmoor reserves 2-1 in the same competition thanks to Haydn Skyrme and Thomas Bradshaw, with Ryan Managh replying.

In the only Division One fixture, Hawcoat A beat Barrow Celtic reserves 9-1. Tom Stanwix (5), Harry Smith (3) and Adam Alssop were the Hawcoat scorers.

It is as you were at the top of Division Two, with Kirkby reserves still top on the back of a 3-1 win at Coniston. Tom Harrison, Kieran Ottley and an own goal accounted for Kirkby’s tally an Andrew Warne replied for Coniston.

Ulverston Rangers reserves are just two points behind, but have played a game more and they registered a 5-1 win at Barrow Wanderers reserves.

Sean Mooney, Kamil Bitner, Joel Lackey (2) and the evergreen Andy Butler were on target for Ulverston, while Jamie White replied in vain for the hosts.