1874 Northwich head into cup contests on the crest of a wave.

Having taken over at the top of the North West Counties Premier Division at the weekend, they kept their position courtesy of a 2-1 home success against Hanley Town on Tuesday.

The third straight win, secured by goals from Sam Hare (52) and Taylor Kennerley (63), sees them head to Cheadle Heath Nomads in the Macron Challenge Cup first round on Saturday, kick-off 2pm, in good form.

And then on Tuesday they will head to Witton Albion in the opening tie of the Cheshire Senior Cup, 7.45pm.

"Hanley gave us a few problems in the first half and we expected that," said 1874 co-manager Wayne Goodison.

"Our players worked it out themselves in the second half.

"They knew if they kept going and kept doing what they're good at they'd get chances.

"It was pleasing that we just stuck at it, doing what we believe we're good at and got a good result in the end."

Witton, meanwhile, backed up Saturday's toppling of BetVictor Northern Premier League leaders South Shields with a last-gasp 1-0 success over Ashton United at Wincham Park.

Cesaire Lingouba dropped to his knees to soak up his teammates' adulation after burying a 20-yard shot two minutes into added time.

The victory was no more than Carl Macauley's men deserved after doing everything but score earlier in the game.

Josh Wardle twisted on the spot to get a shot away that hit a post, while Crewe Alexandra loanee Connor Heath rounded the keeper but could only find a post.

Albion lived dangerously too, with Ashton's Aaron Smith thumping a 20-yarder against the crossbar.

Macauley will be pleased with the first clean sheet in seven appearances as his side prepare to visit bottom team Buxton on Saturday, 3pm.

Squires Gate, beaten 4-0 at home by 1874 at the weekend, turned their form around against Northwich Victoria on Tuesday night as they pulled out of the bag a 2-1 triumph.

Jamie Reed's third-minute strike gave Vics a good start but Squires Gate were not going away.

They levelled matters through Dean Ing after 30 minutes and then sealed victory in the 89th minute when James Boyd found the mark.

Steve Wilkes' side will want to get themselves back on track when they host Barnoldswick Town in the first round of the Macron Challenge Cup at Wincham Park on Saturday, 3pm.