The Shakers soon settled that issue though as they hammered Accrington Stanley 7-0 away from home, that defeat for the Reds meaning Stanley have a shocking 100% record of 24 defeats from 24 games in the league this season. Meanwhile North End did their job as they looked to finish second, the Lilywhites winning 3-1 at Blackpool.
The place for real action though was in Group B where going into the last set of games at the top of the table four teams were still in with a shout of claiming the title, Tranmere, having already completed their fixtures last weekend, sitting in pole position before Saturday, looking nervously over their shoulders as they relied on results going their way.
As it turned out, respective 2-1 and 1-0 wins for second-placed Walsall at home to third-placed Stockport and fourth-placed Chester at home to Port Vale meant that the Wirral club slipped down to third at the close of play. The goal that meant Walsall won the Group B crown coming in the last minute in their match against the Hatters, Chester the club to miss out on the title after that intervention right at the death from the Saddlers.
Results in the division from Saturday :
Accrington Stanley 0-7 Bury
Blackpool 1-3 Preston North End
Chester 1-0 Port Vale
Walsall 2-1 Stockport
Remaining fixture in the division Wednesday 2nd May :
Wrexham v Preston North End (2pm)
North West Conference Group A/B Play-Off, Friday 4th May :
Oldham v Walsall (1pm)
Puma Youth Alliance Cup Final, Monday 30th April :
Stockport v Colchester (Edgeley Park, 7.30pm)
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