RED-faced Hyde United shot themselves in the foot with two own-goals helping gift fellow Blue Square North promotion hopefuls Southport a bizarre 3-1 victory at Ewen Fields.

First, Tigers skipper Chris Brass turned a Mark Houghton cross into his own net to hand the visitors a 17th minute lead.

Then, ex-Southport defender Earl Davis dived full-length to head past a bemused Craig Dootson just before the break.

In between, Chris Holland had rifled home from 20 yards to put the Sandgrounders two-up, only for Dale Johnson to pull one back after a Mark Innes shot had been deflected into his path. Defeat leaves Hyde still third despite having now lost two on the trot.

And there was misery, too, for Stalybridge and Leigh RMI, who both lost again.

Bridge went down 2-1 at managerless Worcester, where their only consolation was having Ashley Winn end a goal drought which had lasted nearly eight hours.

Meanwhile, relegation-threatened Leigh slipped to next-to-bottom after sinking to a goal four minutes from time at Alfreton.

UniBond premier pacesetters Witton Albion stretched their lead to nine points with a 3-1 comeback victory over visiting Hednesford maintaining their 100 per cent home record.

Ashton United were locked in a stalemate at Ossett Town, while unbeaten first division north leaders Curzon Ashton seized on FC United's shock defeat at Clitheroe to go six points clear with former Rebels Rhodri Giggs and Josh Mitten on target in a 2-1 win at Lancaster.