LEADING marksman Ryan Close provided the gloss as Milnthorpe Corinthians dispatched Stoneclough – completing a league double and a jump to third in the table as a result.

After defeat to Todmorden Borough last time out, goals from Craig Edmondson, Richie Sandham, David Lyneweather and Close ensured the home side returned to winning ways.

Corinthians started on the front foot with Close, Sandham and Peter Baxendale all wasting presentable chances before the deadlock was broken after 14 minutes.

Close provided the ammunition for Edmondson to slide home the opener, and also laid on the second for Sandham on 33 minutes as the attacker doubled the hosts’ advantage.

Any hopes of a Stoneclough revival were extinguished shortly after the break as Lyneweather combined with Baxendale before his first-time shot found the top corner.

With the points secured, man of the match Scott Singleton was the architect of the home side’s fourth goal, picking out Close who notched his tenth of the campaign.

Corinthians are now third in West Lancashire Football League Division Two, seven points behind leaders Askam United having played a game more.

The division’s top dogs remain unbeaten away from home after a solid 2-0 win at Ladybridge, thanks to goals from Matthew Griven and Matthew France.

Askam’s closest rivals at present are GSK Ulverston Rangers who continued their impressive home form by seeing off CMB, with Matt Lawlor and Sam Lightfoot on target.

Neil Hayton’s Kendal County drop to fifth, ten points adrift of Askam with two games in hand, after their clash with Furness Cavaliers was postponed.

In Division One, Ambleside United enjoyed an encouraging victory over high-flying Hawcoat Park, who drop to sixth as a consequence.

Jake Miles, James Boyd, Sam Benson and Ryan Grayson did the damage for George Gudgeon’s side as Kevin Edwards and Mike Melia replied for the visitors.

A late Steve Caskie strike secured derby spoils for Furness Rovers at Railway Meadow as Dalton United’s miserable run of results shows little sign of abating.

Joe Bradbury gave the visitors an 11th minute lead with Gareth Jones’ penalty – the prolific striker’s 19th goal of the season – proving inconsequential courtesy of Caskie’s late intervention.