Saturday's First Division South action review

Sutton Coldfield Town`s lead at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's First Division South table was cut to three points on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Royals were beaten 1-0 at Coles Lane by a Leek Town side who are now fourth, Matt Bell scoring the only goal of the game three minutes before half-time.

The win sees Leek still thirteen points adrift of Sutton Coldfield, but they possess no less than eight games in hand.

Newcastle Town remain second after a comfortable 3-0 win at the Coach & Horses against Sheffield FC with goals from Elliott Osborne after 35 minutes and then two late efforts in the final nine minutes from Jordan Cole and Osborne again.

There was a blow to Mickleover Sports` title hopes though as they were beaten 1-0 at home by improving Coalville Town, for whom Jake Woolley scored the only goal just past the hour-mark.

A now surprisingly managerless Spalding United were overtaken by Leek but stay fifth after sharing a 2-2 draw with Norton United in a game played at Newcastle Town`s Lyme Valley Stadium.

It looked as though it was going to be a win for the 'home' side though as they led through goals from Jon Beaumont right on half-time and Michael Lennon after 56 minutes. But former Welling United and St Albans City favourite Lee Clarke and then Tom Waumsley, rescued a point with strikes in the last six minutes.

Stafford Rangers are also level on points with Leek and Spalding after winning 3-1 at Rainworth Miners Welfare.

The win arrived thanks to goals from Dan Cope after 39 minutes, new signing Peter Till after 72 minutes and James Dance 10 minutes from time – all after Dean Freeman had given the Wrens a ninth minute lead.

Lincoln United and Gresley FC both remained in top five contention after recording comfortable home wins.

United saw off Romulus 3-1 at Ashby Avenue, courtesy of Jordan Lemon after 26 minutes, Scott Ruthuen after 39 minutes – seven minutes after Liam Francis had equalised – and then Matt Cotton on 69 minutes.

The Moatmen hit four past neighbours Loughborough Dynamo without reply, thanks to Luke Edwards with a brace against one of his former clubs, an Alex Steadman spot-kick and Martin Smyth.

Danny Edwards bagged a brace as Chasetown beat bottom-markers Brigg Town 3-0 at The Scholars – Lee Butler adding the third in stoppage time.

Elsewhere, Goole AFC won 2-1 at second-bottom Market Drayton Town, coming back from being a 56th minute Aidan Haughton goal down to win, Ollie Steeple on 73 minutes and Derry Robson eight minutes from time turning the result in their favour.