BACUP put themselves firmly in running for promotion from the NWCL second division after their fourth straight league win.

They were ahead as early as the fourth minute when Paul Fildes broke down the right and delivered a deep cross to Lee Anderson who was adjudged to be held in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Steve Stott converted and Bacup were on their way.

Fildes had a shot tipped over by Mark Canning in the Castleton goal but it wasn't long before Bacup were two-up thanks to David Gray's second goal in two games.

Stott played the ball to Micky Bartholomew who fed Gray whose first attempt was blocked. He made no mistake with the follow-up.

Within two minutes it was three when Anderson dispossessed a Castleton defender and finished in style.

Bacup could have increased their lead further but Stott and Bartholomew failed to connect with Gray's low, hard cross.

On 16 minutes Castleton pulled a goal back through a screamer into the top corner from 25 yards.

And it wasn't until just after half-time that Castleton got another chance but the effort went just wide.

Soon after, Anderson chipped the keeper but saw the effort go just wide and 20 minutes from time Bacup rounded off their scoring spree when Telfer played in Fildes who switched to Bartholomew.

He then played the ball back across the face of goal and Telfer converted.

Bacup manager Brent Peters said: "They are all important games but it was important we got three points from this game with Padiham dropping points over the holiday period.

"We were sharp and had the right attitude and I think we could have had more goals if Castleton had not scored.

"That goal disrupted our fluency but we were always in control and knocked it about well at 4-1 up.

"The lads have done me proud this season and I cannot praise them enough but the job is not completed. There are three hard months to go but being third in the league and in the quarter-finals of the Second Division Trophy sets us up nicely for the new year."

BACUP...4

CASTLETON...1