Saturday's First Division South action review

With Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South leaders Coalville Town`s game at Bedworth United one of two postponed on Saturday, Halesowen Town took advantage to move level on points at the top after a narrow win against fellow contenders Leek Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

At The Grove, Halesowen sealed a `six-pointer` win over Leek with the only goal of the game in the 35th minute when the visitors were down to ten-men after an injury to Ryan Dicker, Ben Haseley netted from close range after Tom Tonks` effort was cleared off the line.

Leek`s mood would have lifted a little later when they discovered that they were still third after Belper Town suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat on their own Christchurch Meadow patch at the hands of Market Drayton Town. A Phil Watt own goal seven minutes into the second half eventually proved enough for the Shropshire outfit.

There are still plenty of teams in contention for a top five spot, with Sutton Coldfield Town holding the final berth after edging out second-bottom Kidsgrove Athletic by the odd goal in five at Coles Lane.

Central defender Joe Lyng proved to be the Royals hero with a hat-trick – giving them a 3-0 lead with goals in the 20th, 30th minutes and 35th minutes. Grove battled back and made it a nervy finale when Matty Haddrell bagged a brace in the 49th and 73rd minutes.

Scarborough Athletic are now sixth after beating Rainworth Miners Welfare 2-1 on their travels.

Veteran striker Gary Bradshaw`s reliable penalty technique held to give Boro a 12th minute lead. Ashley Longstaff levelled for the Wrens nine minutes before the break but 13 minutes into the second period Ryan Williams won it for the visitors.

Romulus remain in the race after sharing a 1-1 draw at Sheffield FC, thanks to a 58th minute equaliser from James Reid after Joel Purkiss equaliser had given Club a first-minute lead.

A brace from Aaron Hooton and goals from Danny Gordon and Kameron Campbell helped Carlton Town to a first league win of 2014 as they beat Goole AFC 4-2.

Gordon opened the scoring on just 38 seconds, but Goole were level within a minute through Shaquille McKenzie. The Vikings enjoyed much the better of the first half, but failed to take their chances and they were made to pay four minutes before half-time when the Millers regained the lead through Hooton.

Campbell then got the final touch onto a Troke free-kick 8 minutes into the second half to extend Carlton's lead, but Chris Adam pulled a goal back almost immediately to give the visitors hope, extinguished on 70 minutes with the best goal of the game from Hooton.

Ryan Price made a series of fine saves as Chasetown extended their unbeaten run and just about stay in touch for a late run after winning 2-1 at The Scholars against a another contender, Newcastle Town.

Jazz Luckie after just three minutes and Lee Butler five minutes before half-time netted as Chasetown held on to win after Tom Unwin had pulled Castle back into the game on 54 minutes.

Elsewhere, Brigg Town secured a much-needed three points against Loughborough Dynamo.

Brigg scored twice in the early stages of the second half, Josh Nichol and Paul Ashton netting, before the visitors pulled a goal back through Luke Smithson with 19 minutes remaining to set up a nervous finale.

Brigg's joy at earning the three points was dampened somewhat by a nasty injury to defender Oliver Fisher, who has been taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Lincoln United are level on points with Brigg, both seven in front of Kidsgrove and Bedworth, after a 2-1 Ashby Avenue win over Gresley FC.

But they had to come back from being a 19th minute Marc Strzyzewski goal behind to win, courtesy of goals from Danny Brooks just before the break and Sean Cann 12 minutes from time.