LANCASHIRE Amateur League Premier Division strugglers Old Blackburnians plunged deeper into relegation trouble, when they beaten 3-2 at home by Howe Bridge Mills.

Blackburnians now only have fellow strugglers Hesketh Casuals below them in the table as they look ahead to a survival fight in the second half of the campaign.

Runaway leaders Old Boltonians are a dozen points clear at the summit, and they took another giant step towards the title with a 3-0 victory at Little Lever.

Bacup United's struggles continued in Division Three, though, losing 2-0 to Castle Hill Reserves, while in the division below Old Blackburnians A scored a welcome 5-4 win over Blackrod Town Reserves.

In Division Seven, Old Blackburnians B were also successful, landing a 3-1 victory at Hesketh Casuals B.