BARNTON provided further evidence that they are improving after sending holders Prestwich Heys crashing out of the First Division Cup.

The Villagers were value too for a victory against in-form hosts that had been picked as the best team in the North West Counties League’s First Division North during September.

They fell behind when Justin Pickering finished neatly, but Luke Wilson-Jones fired home an equaliser two minutes later.

Ryan Malone teed up skipper Sam Houghton to make it 2-1 before Wilson-Jones crossed for Malone to net a third before the break with an instep.

Barnton had to withstand pressure during Prestwich’s best spell of the contest after half-time and they rode their luck when Jacob Holt’s header struck the crossbar.

Goalkeeper Arran Lyons reacted smartly to block Jordan Icely’s follow-up attempt.

However the visitors moved out of reach on 74 minutes when Lee Guirado netted their fourth goal.

He doubled his personal tally with a thumping volley in added time before Malone threaded a shot into the net from an angle to complete the scoring.

Prestwich | Jakovlevs (GK), Photiou, Fitton (Wilson-Heyes 63), White, Ayres, Wood, Danny Warburton, Holt, Kidd (Grimshaw 63), Pickering, Icely Subs not used Vincent, Itela, Smith Goal Pickering 10

Barnton | Lyons (GK), Richard, Dursley, Bazley (Steve Warburton), Ford, Yearsley, Malone, Houghton (Derek McShane), Guirado, Wan (Weeder), Wilson-Jones Subs not used James McShane, Preston Goals Wilson-Jones 12, Houghton 15, Malone 34, 90 (+3), Guirado 74, 90 (+2) Booked Bazley, Yearsley

Referee Matthew Howarth

Attendance 76