Atherton LR claimed a big three points at home to Skelmersdale with a 3-0 win against the relegated opponents.
And with league leaders Nelson losing at Darwen, LR now have the destiny of the title in their hands with a clash between the top two up next.
Skelmersdale, despite already being relegated, held out strongly against an attacking LR side and despite not getting the ball forward, kept the pressure on their hosts to make mistakes in their build-up play.
But the LR opener finally came after 22 minutes - a brilliant through ball by Owen Green found George Chadwick on the wing who drove down towards the edge of the box to supply a lofted cross in the direction of Harvey Sample, whose bullet header flew straight past young keeper, Joe Draper.
The home side capitalised on defensive mistakes by Skem, however weren’t able to finish in the final third and they went into the break just 1-0 ahead.
The second half began as the first ended with LR on top physically and tactically with some brilliant football being played by Abiola Obosato, Dave Moore and Owen Green to create more chances.
LR were able to claim their second goal after another brilliant charge on the wing, this time by Harvey Brookes who cut in a low pass to the box which despite going through a few players, was finally converted by Sample to bag his brace after 56 minutes.
Just five minutes later, Joe Bacon joined the scoring action after a corner swung in by Brookes was deflected to the edge of the box and a well-taken shot was driven into the net to make it 3-0.
LR saw out the game and were boosted by news of the Nelson defeat in their Lancashire derby at Darwen.
Boss Dave Jones said: “They’re all important at this stage of the season, especially the three points.
“It’s been a difficult week with us being away to Steeton on Tuesday and being at home to Skem today - so we knew it was going to be tough.
“Skem sat in, they made it tough for us - Tommy (Thomas Lawson, Skem manager) has them set up really well so we needed to be patient.”
The clash between the top two sees LR visit Nelson in what could be a season-defining game this Saturday (3pm).
