Capitalising on Royton's loss at Rochdale Sacred Heart the previous evening, Jon Lyons side, who also have three games in hand, now need ten points from their remaining seven games to lift the title.

However, this game showed they still have work to do. They were pushed all the way by an Old Alts side who underlined their pre-match status as the division's form team. However, Heys showed they were more than up for the challenge. It was not the prettiest of wins on a difficult pitch but Heys toughed it out showing defensive resilience and a great work ethic topped with moments or real quality that saw them home to an important win.

Heys made a great start and almost went in front in the second minute but John Blackley could not quite divert his header goal wards.

However, the Heys centre half was back in the opposition area in the 5th minute to give his side the lead. A Paul Tierney free kick was only half cleared and as the ball found Blackley he steered a low shot into the far corner.

Moments later Lee Bruce saw an effort blocked on the line as Heys made all the early running.

However, Old Alts came back well. Rico Colulo tested Rob Sadler with a low drive and then might have done better with a free header that he put across goal.

The hosts quick forward play provided some anxious moments but equally on attack Heys looked threatening and it took a smothering save to keep out Dalton McLaughlin on the half hour. However, the Heys midfielder suffered an awkward, heavy fall, in the process and was replaced by Danny White.

Having spent much of the first half on the back foot Heys opened the second in lively fashion and they were well on their way to securing the points within two minutes of the restart when Jake Wood poked home from close range after a White corner was headed back across goal by Bruce.

There was a crispness about Heys work now and on the hour the points were in the bag. After good approach play by White and Bruce, Jamie Baguley, just four minutes after coming off the bench, delivered a finish to match with a sweetly struck low shot into the bottom corner.

Although the home side still had their moments, by and large Heys looked solid defensively and began to pick the home side off on attack with increasing regularity.

In the 80th minute they added a fourth goal. Baguley and Reece worked the ball down the right before the latter delivered a great low cross that was steered home at close range by Bruce.

Dave Drinkwater pulled one back with a low shot in the last minute for Old Alts to give them some reward for their efforts, but ultimately Heys were good value for their win.