Saturday's First Division South action review

While the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division North title race looked all-but over by Satuday, it`s a whole lot tighter in its sister First Division South table, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Leaders Halesowen Town, second-placed Leek Town and Coalville Town in third, all won on Saturday and only five points separate the teams.

Halesowen secured a good 4-2 win at fifth-placed Mickleover Sports, who are still virtually certain of a top five spot.

Liam Walshe gave the home side a 10th minute lead that Joe Hull cancelled out after 12 minutes. Five minutes later veteran Iyseden Christie restored the Yeltz`s lead only for Simeon Oshoboke to level on the half-hour mark. But a brace from top scorer Ben Haseley in the 45th and 60th minutes sealed Halesowen`s win.

Leek are a point behind with a game in hand on Halesowen after a 1-0 Harrison Park win over ninth-placed Carlton Town, Jordan Johnson the all-important goalscorer in the 33rd minute.

Coalville, however, are five points adrift of the leaders but have two games in hand on them.

The Ravens beat Newcastle Town 4-0 at Owen Street with goals from Lee Miveld after 19 minutes, Glynn Cotton five minutes before the break, Ben Saunders 12 minutes from the end and Gary Hay three minutes later.

Belper Town are fourth, level on points with Mickleover, following a 5-0 drubbing of third-bottom Lincoln United at Christchurch Meadow.

The division`s leading scorer Jon Froggatt took his tally so far to 31 with a brace of penalties in the 11th and 14th minutes. Stephen Warne added a third eight minutes before half-time and then two more in the last 10 minutes from Mark Ward and Sam Duncum completed the Nailers` nap hand.

At the other end of the table, Kidsgrove Athletic are back at the bottom after they were beaten at The Scholars by Chasetown and Bedworth United managed a 2-0 win at the Hawthorns against Brigg Town.

Joe Halsall`s 76th minute goal was enough to see off Grove, while the Zebras still have work to do to ensure their place for next season after their defeat against the Greenbacks.

Brigg struggled to get going throughout the match and created very little, coming closest when Scott Matthews` free-kick was saved. The visitors deservedly went home with all three points after second half strikes by Mitch Piggon after 49 and 67 minutes.

Elsewhere, Scarborough Athletic eased to a 3-0 Queensgate victory over Market Drayton Town, thanks to goals from Ben Middleton after 38 minutes, and then Grant Ryan and Ryan Blott in the final 12 minutes.

Goole AFC earned a good 2-0 win at Loughborough Dynamo, courtesy of Richard Adams in the 11th minute and Mitch Husbands on 68 minutes.

Sutton Coldfield Town maintained a mathematical chance of making the play-offs with a 2-0 Coles Lane defeat of Sheffield FC with goals from Stuart McNaught after six minutes and Nathan Thompson eight minutes from time, while Rainworth Miners Welfare and Romulus shared an uninspiring goalless draw in Nottinghamshire.