Saturday's First South action review

By David Watters

Evo-Stik NPL First Division South

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South leaders Leek Town were beaten at home in the league for the first time this season on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A crowd of 302 at Harrison Park saw Ashley Longstaff score an 89th minute winner for visiting Rainworth Miners Welfare.

However, second-placed Coalville Town couldn't take full advantage as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield FC at Owen Street where Club took a ninth minute lead through a Zeph Thomas penalty. Jack McGovern equalised on the half-hour mark, but the Ravens were unable to find a winner.

On a bad day for the top teams, the only other top five side to pick up a point were Carlton Town in a 1-1 draw at The Moat against Gresley FC, whose Kieran O'Connell equalised six minutes from time after Blair Anderson had given the visitors the lead on the hour-mark.

Halesowen Town were beaten 2-1 at the Lyme Valley Stadium by Newcastle Town, whose Leon Ashman gave them a 47th minute lead that Isyeden Christie cancelled out after 65 minutes, only for Tom Unwin to win it for Castle three minutes later.

And Mickleover Sports were beaten by the odd goal in seven at Coles Lane against Romulus – but they almost snatched a point!

Roms' led through goals from Marcus Brown after 11 minutes, Cameron Lee on 35 and Craig Marshall on 64 minutes. Danny Davidson scored what looked like just a consolation for Sports on 82 minutes – especially when Brown added his second a minute later to make it 4-1. But Ashley Grayson on 85 minutes and Warren Hatfield three minutes later reduced the arrears to just one, but they were unable to find that fourth.

Belper Town put pressure on the top five with a 3-1 win at Coronation Park against troubled Eastwood Town.

Mark Ward bagged a first half brace for the Nailers with Jon Froggatt adding the other midway through the second – Henry Sibenge replying for the Badgers seven minutes from time.

Sutton Coldfield Town won 2-1 at Loughborough Dynamo, thanks to goals from Gary Hay from the spot after 16 minutes and Craig Milligan just before the break, with Rob Norris pulling one back from the spot 16 minutes from time.

In-demand Louis Clarkson scored the only goal of the game four minutes before half-time to earn Scarborough Athletic all three points at home against Chasetown.

Goole AFC enjoyed a 3-1 success at the VPG against Bedworth United, who are now bottom after Kidsgrove Athletic's draw against Brigg Town.

Dave Taylor gave the Vikings an early third minute lead that Richard Whyman equalised on 22 minutes. But new-look Goole won it with Tom Wakefield on 32 minutes and Will Johnson-Cole nine minutes from time.

Chris Smith put Kidsgrove in front at home against Brigg after just four minutes. Michael Jacklin equalised on 22 minutes, only for Karl Espley to restore Grove's lead on 56 minutes. The Zebras levelled through Liam Dickens three minutes from time and would have claimed all three points if Paul Grimes penalty hadn't been saved.

New Market Drayton Town boss Greg Clowes saw his side win 3-1 at home against Lincoln United. But they had to come back from being a 25th minute Danny Brooks goal down to win, courtesy of Yannick Makota, Martyn Davies from the spot and Makota again.

Where next?

Match centre

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