Tameside rivals Hyde and Stalybridge Celtic could soon be locked in a straight fight for the Blue Square Bet North championship.

So says Hyde boss Gary Lowe, who believes it’s looking increasingly likely the local pair – first and second since August – can avoid being caught by the chasing pack throughout the season.

Lowe’s table-topping Tigers moved three points clear of the second-placed Celts with a goalless draw at Hinckley on Monday – their fifth successive clean-sheet.

However, Stalybridge do now have two games in hand on their Ewen Fields foes.

And, with Bridge a massive 11 points ahead of third-placed Gainsborough as the Advertiser went to press, the battle for the championship and automatic promotion is still showing little sign of being anything other than a two-horse race.

Should that be the case, the Tameside duo’s festive season showdowns on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day could play a crucial part in deciding which of them goes straight up as champions.

The other would have to be content with runners-up spot and a place in the play-offs.

Lowe, a self-confessed admirer of his Bower Fold counterpart Jim Harvey, said: "With Gainsborough and Guiseley both dropping points at the weekend, Bridge and ourselves now have a nice little cushion. Who knows, it could be between the two of us all the way."

Were Lowe’s suspicions to be confirmed, it would also represent a shift in the balance of power in Tameside, where Droylsden have been the borough’s top team for seven of the past eight seasons.

Meanwhile, a second title could also be heading this way as Curzon Ashton are now back on top of the Evo-Stik League’s northern tier.

They extended their amazing unbeaten start under his successor, John Flanagan, to 15 games with a 2-0 victory over Durham City on Saturday.

This weekend, the Nash face their biggest test so far when they visit Skelmersdale – the team they have just replaced at the summit.

Celtic are at Guiseley, while Hyde host Colwyn Bay.

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