Saturday's First Division South action review

By David Watters

Runaway EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division South leaders Stafford Rangers suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Kidsgrove are in decent form themselves and goals from Jordan Johnson after 22 minutes, Ross Davidson three minutes later and then Nick Wellecomme 16 minutes from time made it five games unbeaten and tenth spot in the table, just four points adrift of the top five.

Rangers` third defeat of the season means they are now `only` fifteen points clear of Coalville Town, who edged a five-goal thriller against Belper Town at Owen Street.

The Ravens took an early lead through full-back Lee Torr but Phil Watt got the Nailers back on level terms when he headed home Jonathan Williams corner five minutes before half-time.

A scrappy second half burst into life when Coalville re-took the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining, Danny Jenno’s strike being deflected into bottom corner by Liam Walshe.

Rob Stevenon helped the Nailers get back on level terms but the Leicestershire side snatched it away with minutes left on the clock, Nat Watson making the points safe when he converted Alex Dean’s cross.

Third-placed Shaw Lane Aquaforce gained a 1-0 win at Harrison Park against Leek Town, courtesy of an 18th minute Lee Bennett effort.

Lincoln United and Basford United complete the top five, but only the latter managed a win on Saturday.

Lincoln shared a 2-2 draw at Chasetown, who are just two points off the top five themselves.

Mitch Griffiths broke the deadlock to give the visitors a 46th minute lead they held for only four minutes as James Dance levelled. Paul Sullivan looked as though he`d won it for the Scholars when he made it 2-1 with less than two minutes remaining. But Danny Brooks popped up with the Whites` leveller in stoppage time.

Basford held on to win an entertaining game 3-2 at home to second-bottom Loughborough Dynamo, despite playing the last six minutes with ten-men after Stuart Hendrie received a red card.

It was an eventful afternoon for Hendrie, who earlier gave Basford the lead with two goals in five minutes. He picked up a 25th minute clearance from keeper Saul Deeney to beat the offside trap to score and then headed in a corner.

The visitors belied their lowly league position and former Basford player Kevin Hemagou broke clear to pull one back for Dynamo four minutes from the break. Joe Pheasant levelled the scores three minutes into the second half before Kyle Dixon netted what turned out to be the winner in the 54th minute.

Basford moved into fifth after Spalding United were held to a 0-0 draw at the Sir Halley Stewart Fields by Sheffield FC.

Romulus are seventh, just a point behind the top five after winning 2-0 at Carlton Town, thanks to Luke Keen after 22 minutes and Charisma Agbonlahor – brother of Aston Villa`s Gabby – on 65 minutes.

Market Drayton Town maintained their top five hopes after a 3-0 home success against Gresley FC.

James O`Neill broke the deadlock to give the hosts a 53rd minute lead and then Craig Ryan on 71 minutes and Jeff Watkins seven minutes from time sealed victory.

Out of sorts Daventry Town suffered a fourth successive defeat by the odd goal in five at Bracken Moor against Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Harrison Biggins gave Steels a 27th minute lead that Edilson Panzo-Antonio cancelled out 10 minutes later. Joe Lumsden restored the home side`s lead after 42 minutes and extended it on 46 minutes, with Barry Deacon replying two minutes later.

Newcastle Town beat Goole AFC by the same scoreline at the Lyme Valley Stadium.

It was goalless until the hour-mark when Harry Clayton gave Castle the lead. Two minutes later Jordan Cole doubled the home side`s advantage and, after Alex Varley reduced the arrears on 72 minutes, Nick Guest equalised three minutes later, leaving Dan Cope to win it for the home side two minutes from time.

Bottom-markers Tividale picked up a point from a 1-1 draw at Butlin Road against Rugby Town, whose Kevin Thornton gave his side a 24th minute lead that the experienced Mark Danks cancelled out in then 46th minute.

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Where next?

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