Windermere moved to the top of the North West Hockey League after a gritty 1-0 win over title contenders Southport.

Mere started brightly and barely allowed their high-quality opposition to get a touch of the ball.

Considering Southport are level on points with Windermere and in third place thanks only to a poorer goal difference there was an astonishing gulf in class between the teams.

When Will Dolman's goal put the home side in front it looked like being the first of many.

Southport came back into the game but could not threaten the Mere goal.

Another clean sheet and another three points gained continues the Cumbrian side's excellent start to life in the North West's top flight.

Elsewhere, Windermere's second team were taking on Kirkby Lonsdale who are second in the Barrington Sports North West Hockey League Division 5.

Mere went 2-0 up on the stroke of half time thanks to skipper Chris Toward and they were looking good value for a win.

Kirkby fought back to level the score but Windermere scored again from a short corner via the stick of Ed Evans.

But the dogged Kirkby fought back once more and levelled the scores to deny sixth placed Windermere a famous victory.