Saturday's First Division South action review

The top two in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South, Sutton Coldfield Town and Newcastle Town, both won on Saturday to maintain a healthy lead over third-placed Mickleover Sports, who were in FA Trophy action, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Sutton Coldfield stayed a point in front of Castle after a 3-0 win at The Hawthorns against second-bottom Brigg Town, thanks to goals from Justin Richards after seven minutes and then a Jordan Nadat double in the 70th and 75th minutes.

Newcastle won even more comfortably at Loughborough Dynamo.

Tim Sanders gave the visitors a great start with the opening goal inside a minute and then Tom Unwin on 25 minutes and Jordan Cole four minutes later virtually ended the game as a contest. Cole`s 67th minute second from the penalty spot made the final outcome 4-0.

Spalding United moved into fourth spot after they won 2-0 at lowly Stocksbridge Park Steels and Stafford Rangers, who were fourth overnight, were held to a 3-3 draw by Goole AFC.

Lewis Webb after 27 minutes and then Jamie Thurlbourne four minutes into the second half were the Tulips on target at Bracken Moor, while at Marston Road, Billy Law on 16 minutes and Jordan Thewlis on 21 gave Goole a 2-0 lead.

Dan Cope reduced the arrears four minutes later, only for Julian Lawrence to make it 3-1 with five minutes of the first half remaining. However, Christian Dacres pulled a second back for Rangers with nine minutes to go and five minutes into injury-time, Ryan Wynter grabbed a headed equaliser.

Leek Town are now only a point behind Stafford with no less than five games already in hand after a 2-0 Harrison Park success against Tividale, thanks to Tim Grice after 15 minutes and Liam Shotton right on half-time.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Coalville Town gained two important points against fellow strugglers Market Drayton Town at Owen Street with goals from Bradley Munn after 39 minutes and Jake Woolley four minutes before half-time.

Bottom-markers Kidsgrove Athletic, however, suffered a fifteenth defeat in twenty-one matches, 1-0 at home to another side near the bottom, Rainworth Miners Welfare, for whom Dean Freeman grabbed a stoppage time winner.

Kidsgrove`s neighbours Norton United moved up to ninth spot after edging out Sheffield FC by the odd goal in five at home.

Norton were coasting 3-0, courtesy of a Kyle Diskin brace and one from Chris Baker, but goals in the final 15 minutes from Ashley Longstaff and Matt Loney made for a nervy finale.

No such worries for Romulus, who hit four without reply at Coles Lane.

Luke Keen and Liam Francis were the first half scorers, with Courtney Baker-Richardson and Ed Ahenkorah adding two more in the second period.