STUTTERING Stalybridge Celtic were left pointing to tired legs after slipping to their second defeat in three days.

Bridge's Blue Square North promotion ambitions suffered a set-back as they crashed 3-0 at AFC Telford less than 48 hours after they'd been dumped out of the Setanta Shield by Blyth.

The Celts defence held firm in a largely one-sided opening period, but Telford then took full advantage of the visitors' aching limbs to cut loose with three second-half goals.

It was a bad day as well for lowly Leigh RMI, who tumbled 2-0 at Blyth in their second league outing under newly- returned boss Steve Bleasdale.

Mark Smyth and Kieran Lugsden wasted great chances for the Railwaymen both before and after they'd fallen behind in the 25th minute.

UniBond premier pacesetters Witton, whose highly-rated young defender Liam Brownhill has received a shock call-up to the England C squad for the clash with Finland in Helsinki a fortnight on Wednesday, marched eight points clear with Adam Warlow hitting a hat-trick in their 6-1 rout of Whitby.

Ashton United twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Buxton, while first division north leaders Curzon Ashton ran riot against Woodley, thrashing their neighbours 6-1 to open up a six-point advantage over the chasing pack.

Vodkat League frontunners Salford were surprisingly beaten 1-0 at home by Silsden, but second-placed Trafford failed to take full advantage as they were held 1-1 by visiting Winsford.