THE Ivy are edging close to the East Lancashire League title thanks to two more goals from the prolific Chris Gallagher.

The Ivy hitman – cousin of former Blackburn Rovers star Paul Gallagher, currently on loan at Preston North End – made it 47 goals for the season as they stayed ahead of rivals Burnley Athletic and Rimington.

But The Ivy were made to work hard for the points, before claiming a priceless 2-1 win over a battling Rock Rovers outfit. They remain a point better off than Burnley Athletic, who thrashed Oswaldtwistle St Marys 5-0 at Heys Sports Complex. Crucially, though, the leaders have a couple of games in hand and that could prove significant in the final weeks of the campaign. At the other end of the table, second bottom Langho grabbed a precious point at Calder Vale in their bid to beat the drop.

Colne United's season of misery continued, crashing 6-0 to Enfield.

Read United were also in the goals, thrashing Worsthorne by the same scoreline at Townley Park.

The game between Stacksteads St Josephs and Mill Hill was called off.

In the Second Division, Prairie United defeated Burnley Belvedere 6-1, while Waddington were 3-0 winners against Whinney Hill at Twitter Lane Field.

In second string action, Barrowford Celtic proved too strong for Oswaldtwistle St Mary's, clocking up a 3-1 win at Bull Holme Playing Fields, while Whinney Hill fired in five without reply against Waddington at Burnley Road.

The fixtures between Burnley Belvedere versus Read United and Colne United and Peel Park both finished 1-1. The fixture between Langho and Feniscowles and Pleasington was postponed.

Meantime, Stacksteads St Josephs are through to the final of the Reserve Cup, beating Enfield 4-1.

In the Bob Little Cup, Canberra cruised to a 3-1 win at Peel Park.