Bedlam broke out in the second half at Blackpool Road in St Annes, where Northern Care and Halfway House finished the round two tie with nine men apiece following separate incidents.

Two Saturday teammates were dismissed for fighting in the first of the double dismissals when Northern Care equalised en route to a 2-1 win.

Scorer David Cram and Gavin Hughes, who play together for AFC Blackpool in the North-West Counties League, clashed after the ball had been fished out of Halfway's net.

Ten minutes later trouble spilt over from the touchline following a challenge by Halfway substitute DannyKing just ten seconds after he'd been brought on.

With Marvin Wood lying injured on the ground, some spectators waded into the free-for-all involving almost every other player and the upshot was marching orders for King and Northern veteran Terry Green, who is AFC Blackpool's assistant manager.

Young Preston referee Leigh Doughty also yellow-carded five other players either side of the dismissal of Cram and Hughes, whose AFC Blackpool teammate Steve Gibson snatched a late winner.

Shock of the round was Quilligans' downfall at home to Penwortham Town, who fought back from 2-0 down at half-time and then 3-1 down to triumph 4-3 at Collins Park.

Quilligans collapsed after being put in the driving seat by goals from Stephen Brooks, Rob Boal and Jordan Spedding and the reigning Sunday Alliance treble holders are now out of all external competitions. Eight days earlier they slumped in the North-West Champions of Champions knockout.

Seven Alliance sides are through to round three of the county competition and Fleetwood Car Centre hope to join them. They try again this weekend at home to Copperpot of Rochdale after the first attempt was called off due to waterlogging.

Surprise

The Devonshire Arms raised their game in an all-Alliance tie to turn the tables on Blackpool Rangers, who had beaten them in the league and Gledhill Cup. Spearheaded by two goals from Danny Whittaker, they accounted for Rangers 4-3 after extra-time.

Poulton Seniors were floored 2-1 away to Oswaldtwistle United of Accrington by a last-minute goal and there were heavy defeats for Metrostars (11-2 at Lonsdale of Fulwood), FC Kingsfield (7-0 at Heywood Reform) and The Crescent (7-1 at Red Lion of Colne).

In the league, Wrea Green have emerged as the surprise package in the PREMIER DIVISION, where they are on the coattails of leading duo Quilligans and Poulton Seniors with a game in hand.

In their second season in the top flight, Wrea Green swept aside Hydronics 4-1 on the back of a hat-trick by Michael Evans.

Bispham JFF got within touching distance of their first point in DIVISION ONE, where Shovels edged a fluctuating contest 6-5 led by Ashley Casey's hat-trick.

Bloomfield Veterans moved to within a point of the top two with a 3-2 win over Golden Eagle. Former Fleetwood Town and Wren Rovers North-West Counties League hotshot Keith Johnstone struck twice.

A penalty save by goalkeeper/manager Andy Wright changed the course of Squirrel's match with Claremont Cons in DIVISION TWO A.

Squirrel won 3-2 after Wright's heroics just before half-time prevented his team going 3-0 down after David Ireland struck twice for shellshocked Claremont.

Great Eccleston increased their advantage at the top with a 3-1 win away to Links Hotel, where Daniel Ball got two of the goals.

Fleetwood Cricket Club were victims of a turn-up in DIVISION TWO B, where their unbeaten record was unceremoniously wrecked. Fairhaven crushed them 6-1 with a brace apiece for Daniel Strapko and Danny Pickering.

FC Excelsior will take some stopping at the top after strengthening their grip by beating AFC Marton 4-0.

Tony Whittle's hat-trick for North-West Kitchens spelt the downfall for Skye, who were pipped 5-4.

MA2 are well clear in DIVISION THREE A, where they accounted for Teamsport 4-0.

SPS celebrated their first points of the season in a DIVISION THREE B eye-opener. They made a mockery of their bottom place with a 2-1 win that ruined Real Burlington's unbeaten start.

Hampton Road Social Club are the new leaders as their 3-1 win over St Annes coincided with The Oxford getting badly burnt against fireplace Superstore. The Oxford were humbled 6-1.

Carl Warner got a hat-trick in Trades and Social's 6-2 win over Automedon.