By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Phil Hill (Bury vs Wythenshawe)
On a weekend where FC St Helens wrapped up the First Division North, it's still anyone's guess who will walk away with the North West Counties Premier Division title - as 4,212 packed into Gigg Lane to see Bury and Wythenshawe share a 1-1 draw.
The two title contenders eventually cancelled each other out, with no goals coming until midway through the second half. Shakers captain Tom Moore broke the deadlock on 63 minutes, but Wythenshawe were able to snatch a point EIGHT minutes into injury time thanks to a Bryan Ly penalty - who may consider this to be one of the most crucial of his 27 goals this season.
A repeat of the reverse fixture back in September leaves honours even between the two sides - with Shane Goldrick's side a point behind the table toppers. Bury are third, a further three points back - and crucially even winning their remaining game in hand will not be enough to take them back to the summit as it stands.
READ MORE: North West Counties: Cheadle Town upset table toppers Wythenshawe in Premier Division
The draw leaves the inactive Wythenshawe Town as league leaders - somewhat against the odds given the amount of games in hand their rivals had on them a few weeks ago - but Bury now have no win in four, and Shane Goldrick's side have picked up just one point in their last two.
The race for the playoffs is no less complete; with the sides fourth to seventh covered by four points. Current top five residents Padiham and Chadderton shared a 2-2 draw, with the Oldham side rescuing a point in the closing stages.
Padiham looked home and hosed with five minutes to play, with goals from Joel Brownhill and Tyler James leaving the home side in a strong position - until Krisel Prifti pulled one back. Despite a red card for Oliver Parker in injury time, three minutes later the visitors were able to pull level - thanks to Cory Knight's 13th of the season.
Prestwich Heys sit outside the playoffs on goal difference alone after a 1-0 win over Colne at Adie Moran Park. Dylan Fitzgerald's only goal of the game sealed the league double for Heys over the Lancashire side on 33 minutes.
It's a third straight loss for Colne, who have slipped to 15th in the table. They do hold a raft of games in hand on most teams in the league however.
Kendal Town maintained their interest in the top five with a 3-0 win over Glossop North End in front of 555 at Parkside Road. It's a first win in four for The Mintcakes, thanks to goals from James Bailey, Matty Dudley and Ryan Winder.
EYES ON THE BALL: West drew with Ramsbottom United on Good Friday (Simon Cook)
Jimmy Marshall's side are sixth, although both they and Padiham have played two more games than the Greater Manchester sides. The Hillmen have dropped to 19th.
Pilkington are almost over the line to secure Step 5 football for another season after a 4-2 home win over Barnoldswick Town. The hosts went in two to the good thanks to Gabe Ellis' opener, and the lead was doubled by Freddy Garbutt on 26 minutes.
Barlick mounted a comeback after the break, with a Gareth Hill brace taking him to 22 for the season. That was to be the highlight for the away side, who regained the lead via Wade Rutherford 20 minutes after the break, and Harry Holness sealed it as Pilks won for the first time in eight matches.
HEADS UP: AFC Liverpool's Matty Brown uses his head against Charnock Richard (Paul Moran)
Ten-man Charnock Richard snatched a point at AFC Liverpool, having fought back from 2-1 down despite taking the lead through Luke Power five minutes before the break. Adam Moorcroft levelled the game for the hosts, and it looked like AFC had taken all three points thanks to Tanaka Cherera's late goal.
Despite Brad Carsley's dismissal, Charnock were able to draw level through Marcus Haydock six minutes into injury time. The Chorley side remain the division's wild card with up to six games in hand - and mathematically at least cannot be ruled out as potential title winners.
Callum Sandle's equaliser brought Burscough a point closer to safety in a 1-1 draw at Irlam, with Ethan Cartwright's penalty putting the home side ahead initially. On Friday, Darren McKnight's equaliser sealed a point for West Didsbury & Chorlton in a 2-2 home draw with Ramsbottom United in front of 852 at The Step Places Stadium.
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