New Mills entertained high flying Roynton Town at Church Lane and once again had to suffer the visitors taking all three points.

Within two minutes the visitors took the lead when Edgehill fired home following a free kick. Eight minutes later Royton doubled their advantage when Hulme headed home from a corner kick.

When all seemed lost, the Millers started to play some football, arguably the best this season. Wild worked hard to force an opening for Littler, but his shot was straight at the keeper. However, moments later Craven laid the ball wide and Lands excellent cross was met by Danny Jackson to reduce the arrears.

With the crowd coming alive to the fast, quick passing football it was no surprise when the home side equalised. Littler won the ball in midfield and played it to Land on the right whose superb cross was met by Billy Craven to put the Millers level.

The second half began with expectations high, but the home side could not reproduce their first-half performance and found themselves pinned back for long periods. Royton eventually scored with what turned out to be the winning goal, Taylor putting in a cross from the right.

Substitute Gibbons set up Wild late on, but his shot was blocked by Fitzsimmons the Royton keeper (seen left in full flight). It was too little too late for the Millers, who must now be looking anxiously over their shoulders at the bottom teams.

The Millers took the lead with 24 minutes on the clock. Midfielder Ben Hall drilled the ball into the bottom corner of Town's net and just three minutes later the advantage was doubled, Dukinfield appealed in vain for offside as Adam Blackburn sprinted from his own half, leaving Millers' top striker with only Bevan to beat, few could doubt the conclusion as Blackburn took the ball around Town's stranded keeper to walk the ball home.

The visitors were dangerous throughout, Town's number 9 latched on to a neat ball played through and shot across goal, a warning for the amber shirts and a taste of things to come. Dukinfield's pressure was soon to pay dividends resulting in a penalty kick as half time approached, Tester was powerless as Chris Wilde side footed home.

Jason Clarke had a couple of good chances for New Mills, one effort curled wide while the other was smothered smartly as Bevan advanced out of goal. However, on the stroke of half time the home side scored a third, Stephen Done drilled the ball across the six-yard box, Adam Blackburn pounced like a true poacher to give the Millers some breathing space.

Five minutes after the break, the game continued at a frantic pace. Both teams were playing neat, incisive football, but a brilliant individual effort from the lively Adam Buckley, reduced the arrears in favour of a rampant Dukinfield Town.

Jason Clarke jinxed his way forward at every opportunity and delivered the ball to Stephen Done who shot goal-wards, but Town's keeper was in fine form to deny his ferocious effort. Midway through the half, a moment to savour as Blackburn found himself surrounded at the corner flag, with audacious skill, the ball was clipped up into the air and volleyed into the penalty box to create another opportunity, the chance created was squandered, but the delivery was impeccable, nonetheless.

Town's Adam Buckley was sublime with his nimble footwork while the introduction of Mark Donnelly for New Mills also added some much-needed flair down the wings. Donnelly scored the Miller's only goal in the Open Trophy final two seasons ago and his crafty footwork throughout the afternoon was also pleasing to the eye. An incisive cross from Donnelly gave Blackburn a good chance, but the header looped over the crossbar to keep the score tight, but with ten minutes remaining, Buckley regained parity for the visitors, his deceptive drive across goal, took a slight deflection then crept inside the near post off the New Mills keeper, slightly fortunate but no less than deserved as Town were playing well.