Saturday's First Division South action review

By David Watters

Tuesday night`s game between Shaw Lane AFC and second-placed Witton Albion could decide the outcome of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division South title, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The pair both won again on Saturday and are level on 90 points, with the Barnsley outfit having a far superior goal difference.

Shaw Lane came from two-down at the Lyme Valley Stadium to beat play-off chasing Newcastle Town 3-2.

Lee Cropper and Jordan Cole had Castle in front by the 24th minute, but Spencer Harris crucially replied before half-time. And then Alex Byrne on 76 minutes and Oscar Radford eight minutes from time, earned a vital three points for the visitors.

Witton also won away – 2-0 at The Moat Ground against Gresley FC.

Steven Tames after just three minutes and Will Jones six minutes before the break had Albion in front – and they comfortably held on to that.

Who takes the final three play-off places is going to be an equally exciting climax, with seven sides still in with a shout.

Spalding United are third and have an eight-point advantage over the chasing pack after struggling to a 1-0 win at Kidsgrove Athletic, thanks to a goal 18 minutes from time from loanee Cenk Acar.

Basford United and AFC Rushden & Diamonds currently occupy the two other top five slots and both also won away from home.

Basford edged out Stamford AFC at the Zeeco Stadium by the odd goal in five, taking a 14th minute lead through Jamie Reid and then racing into a 3-1 lead by half-time with goals from Courey Grantham and Riece Bertram after Liam Marshall had equalised.

Curtis Hartley 'won' the second half for the Daniels in the 62nd minute, but they weren`t able to find a leveller.

Diamonds won 1-0 at Harrison Park against a Leek Town side who are now the outsiders in the race, top scorer Nabil Shariff netting a stoppage time winner for the visitors after Leek twice hit the woodwork.

Stocksbridge Park Steels and Lincoln United join Newcastle in remaining interested in the top five race going into Easter.

Ironically, the pair met at Ashby Avenue on Saturday, with Steels running out 2-0 winners with goals from Ben Rhodes on the half-hour mark and then Brodie Litchfield in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Who goes down is still open, and Tuesday night`s game between bottom side Loughborough Dynamo and second-bottom Northwich Victoria at Wincham Park could go a long way to deciding the outcome, with third-bottom Rugby Town the only other interested party.

And Valley were brought right back into the mix after they were beaten 1-0 at Butlin Road by Dynamo, while Vics also won away – 2-1 at the Coach & Horses against Sheffield FC.

Jack Beckett`s goal 20 minutes into the first half eventually proved enough for Loughborough, while Adam Lawrence on the hour-mark and Jack Kelleher 11 minutes from time sealed Vics' win, despite a late Pat Lindley reply.

Elsewhere, Evan Garnett after 36 minutes and a 55th minute Jonathan Williams penalty earned Belper Town the points at the Oval against Bedworth United, while Carlton Town and Romulus shared a 1-1 draw at Stoke Lane where the visitors' Ricky Hill scored after eight minutes and Alex Troke levelled 20 minutes later.

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Where next?

Mills sacked with three games to go EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Corby Town have named Steve Kinniburgh as caretaker manager until the end of the season after sacking Gary Mills on Sunday morning.
Saturday's Premier Division action review Blyth Spartans were crowned 2016-17 champions of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Premier Division on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

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