IN foggy conditions, Pilkingtons edged out Mersey Valley to move into second place.
In the first 25 minutes Mersey Valley dominated and had a few half chances before Pilkingtons started to take control.
The deadlock was broken right on half-time, Smailes played Taylor in and with the keeper advancing well outside his box, he rounded him to finish from the angle.
On 55 minutes Mersey Valley went down to 10 men and with the foggy conditions worsening the ref halted proceedings for five mins.
Almost straight from the restart, Dixon won possession before sliding in Taylor who pulled it back for Smailes to make it 2-0. A few minutes later and Boylan made it 3-0.
Pilks were now strolling but in the 81st minute, the Mersey Valley forced a brilliant double save from Rob Cork.
This rocked Pilks who suddenly lost all their composure and Mersey Valley were able to pull back two goals in as many minutes.
It was tense in the last few minutes but Pilks held on to finish 2016 on a high.
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