Last Saturday's game at Church Lane will probably be the last New Mills will play in the Air Miles Manchester League, if they win election to the North West Counties League in June.

A huge crowd basking in the sunshine were treated to a great game of football. The first period was fairly even, but on the half hour the first quality piece of open play resulted in the home side taking the lead. After good approach play down the right hand side Stacey Wild played in the perfect centre for Stephen "Paddy" Littler to send in a thumping header past the opposing keeper.

Just five minutes later Julian Dowe passed to Kelvin Lugsden who turned smartly in the box and the ball fell to Adam "Bomber" Blackburn who smashed the ball home for his 45th goal of the season for the club.

It was the Millers who finished the half the stronger and were unlucky not to add to their two goal advantage. Unfortunately, Littler went off at half time with an occurrence of an old niggling injury.

The visitors began to take control of midfield, and it was no surprise when they scored on the hour shortly after Ben Candlin had made a breathtaking save for the Millers. It was Colin Snelgrove who scored when he cut in from the right and sent in a shot, which crept inside the near post.

Irlam MS pressed hard, but except for a goal-line clearance from Jason Clarke the home defence held out with some fine defending from Simon Ignotus, Chris Pickering and local favourite Steven Land.

This result meant that New Mills had completed the double over the top scoring side in the league, and they moved out of the relegation zone.