Moments later saw Billy Craven take the ball to the bi-line and shoot across goal, Kieran Lugsden instinctively stuck his foot out to deflect but the ball spun over the crossbar and out of harms way.

Leigh extended their lead twenty minutes in, Chris Simm side footing home with considerable ease, but good link up play between Chris Pickering (seen right) and Kieran Lugsden earned the Millers a goal for themselves, Pickering thumped the ball past Coope, hope for the home side and jubilation in the stands.

The rejoicing, however, was short-lived as Leigh scored twice around the half-hour mark - Paul Gibson slid in for the third and Simm added the fourth. Stephen Bates was introduced to shore-up the defence, but stout defending at the Latics end snuffed out efforts from Craven and Lugsden to maintain the advantage at half time.

An inspired substitution saw Adam Blackburn introduced as the second half got under way and following a decent spell of pressure Blackburn scored his first goal at senior level for New Mills, Billy Craven (seen right) played a good short pass into the path of Blackburn who then drilled the ball into the bottom-right of goal.For the final thirty minutes, New Mills fought hard to close the gap, Latics almost conceded an own goal, the visitors grateful to the crossbar. Pickering and Blackburn also saw shots miss by a narrow margin.

With five minutes to play, Stacey Wild burst down the right wing and delivered a decent cross onto the goal line, New Mills appealed that the ball had crossed the line but play was waved on. Latics countered down the right and Chris Simm completed his hat trick.

Although it was the season of goodwill to all men, the defending in the opening thirty minutes was too generous by far, this will have to be addressed before League-Leaders Royton visit Church Lane in two weeks time.

Millers: Candlin, Land, Ignotus, Jackson, Buckley, Thomas, Pickering, Lugsden KL, Lees, Craven, Lugsden KR Subs: Bates, Blackburn, Wild.

Saturday 20th December
Last Gasp Winner Puts Millers Top Of The Tree:
New Mills Res 1 - Stockport Georgians Res 0

The incessant Derbyshire rain had almost put this match in doubt but not only did Graham Warner use sound judgement to ensure the game went ahead, the referee also performed admirably, allowing the game to flow from end to end, despite the tricky conditions that prevailed.

A master class in defensive duties was the order of the day, Kyle Brown, Bob Crossland, Stephen Bates and Mickey Brankin had to be on top of

Adam Blackburn was soon on the prowl, picking the ball up in midfield Blackburn twisted and turned to create some space to shoot, the ball rose with promise but out of harms way.
Stephen Done was skilful with his distribution, the derby rivals realising the danger to close the striker down at every opportunity.

The visitors had held the ball well during the first half and threatened often, when they did break through Millers back line, Andy Tester was quick off his goal line to clear firmly when needed- good decisive kicking in horrendous conditions. As half time approached, Chris Prodromis showed some good skill down the right wing, but Georgians defenders held firm and the half remained 0-0.

The rain was persistent throughout except for the deluge that greeted the players on the hour mark, legs were beginning to tire as the game became more open. Stephen Done played Blackburn through but good defending blocked his effort. Jason Clarke also had a good chance to score but a score draw was looking likely as the sides cancelled each other out.

Chris Prodromis finished the half strongly and charged down Georgians keeper for another close call, and while Adam Blackburn had scored in his previous ten outings for New Mills, the crossbar was to deny his thunderous strike late on in the game.

With 90 minutes on the clock, the deadlock was broken. Stephen Done placed a short free kick into the path of Chris Prodromis who stole half-a-yard on his marker to drill the ball across the crowded goal mouth, the ball skimming along the surface to find the corner of the net.

Georgians were not finished by a long way, forcing Andy Tester to save smartly from a rasping drive, two minutes into time added on.

A superb Team performance against very capable opposition, for the third time this

New Mills Reserves entertained Dukinfield Town in a match that started at a frantic pace, both sides having ample opportunities throughout, although parity was the result at the game's conclusion.

An intelligent through ball from Jason Warhurst tricked Town's defence early on, but the home side were slow to capitalise as the game started with promise for New Mills. Chris Prodromis broke down the left flank and with little support

The home side smelled victory and pressed for a second. Stephen Done was often instrumental in Millers attacking options with a dextrous display, Clarke and Warhurst combined well to supply Done who struck a fine effort, Done turned in disbelief as Hurst in Town's goal produced an outstanding save to deny.

As the game flowed from end to end, Dukinfield began to create some good chances for themselves, Jeremy Unsworth was called upon many times to repel the visitors intent. Town shot towards every angle of Millers goal without much success and Dan Stansfield made an excellent block as Town looked likely to score.

However, fifteen minutes from time, the visitors got their reward, Steve Mathews struck the ball through a packed defence, Unsworth was unsighted as the ball flew into the bottom-left of goal.The visitors had further

chances to wrap the game up including an open goal to fire at, but in the last minute of