HANLEY Town kept touch with the Premier Division pacesetters as they earned a 2-0 win at home to mid-table Foley.

Mark Lawton's first-half strike edged Hanley in front, before Danny Tainton struck after the break to move Hanley up to sixth, within four points of leaders Stretton Eagles.

Congleton Vale are third, a point off the top, after Tom Burgess's first-half strike gave them a 1-0 win at home to Florence.

But bottom club Eccleshall Town continued to struggle as they lost 4-0 at home to Abbey Hulton United.

Nathan Chinn-Shaw opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, before Lee Cropper struck on 62 and 70 minutes.

Chinn-Shaw completed the comfortable win with the fourth on 75 minutes.

Holt JCB were the Premier's big scorers as they won 6-3 at home to Goldenhill.

Jack Watson netted in the first minute for Goldenhill, who also claimed further goals through Tom Madden and Lee Greatbatch. But Holt claimed the points thanks to a brace from Carl Alcock and strikes from Gav Reynolds, Chris Mason, Andy Walker and Gary McDermott.

Newcastle Town are up to seventh after a 4-2 home win over fifth-placed Kidsgrove.

Chris Broad and Mohammed Loqman netted for Kidsgrove, but Newcastle claimed the win thanks to two goals from Alan Nagington and efforts from Ryan Green and Curtis Price.

Division One leaders Barton United were humbled by fourth-placed Alsager, who claimed a 3-0 win.

Martin Moran, Matt Roberts and Richard Birchall all scored as Alsager moved within five points of the top.

Barton's defeat was good news for second-placed Stone, who are just a point off the top after a 4-0 home win over Redgate Clayton Reserves.

Lee Smith bagged two and Michael Meszaros and Mark Simpson also scored.

But Keele University were the big winners of the day in Division One. They thrashed visitors Hawkins Sports 9-0, with three from Charlie Fotheringham, two each for Joe Norton and Sean Szarbo and goals for James Karlini and Jordan Richardson.

Stretton Eagles Reserves remain top of Division Two after goals from Scott Walkman and Justin Kisielewicz gave them a 2-0 win at home to Cheadle.

Abbey Hulton Reserves edged into the third round of the Staffs FA President's Cup at the expense of Norton Y&A.

Dave Wall netted twice for Norton, but could not prevent a 3-2 defeat as Abbey Hulton went through thanks to goals from Shaun Key, Danny Brown and Shane Grice.

Keele University are also through after a 4-2 win at Florence.

Adam Colesal and James Beaman's goals for Florence were not enough as two from Rob Boyd and strikes from Alex William and James Grin put Keele into the third round.

They are joined by Foley, who came from a goal down at home to Audley to claim a 3-1 win, thanks to strikes from Mark Stokes, Russ Johnson and Mark Varley.

Kidsgrove Town won 5-3 on penalties at Sikh Hunters, after the game finished level at 2-2.

But Tunstall Town disposed of Rugeley Rangers 2-1 inside 90 minutes, thanks to a goal in each half from Nick Farrell.