Saturday's First South action review

By David Watters

Evo-Stik NPL First Division South

Leek Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division South table on Saturday with a win at Sheffield FC, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

However, it didn't look good for Lee Casswell's side as they trailed to Zeph Thomas' 54th minute goal for Club as the game ticked into the final seven minutes. Danny Smith equalised and then, in time added on, Dan Shelley grabbed Leek's winner.

Second-placed Halesowen Town were also made to scrap for their win at home against much-improved Lincoln United.

The Yeltz took a 16th minute lead through Aaron Griffiths but it wasn`t until six minutes from time that the same player eventually doubled their lead. Brendan McDaid pulled a goal back for the Whites two minutes later to ensure a nervy finale.

Third-placed Coalville Town had to be content with a 1-1 draw with fourth-placed Sutton Coldfield Town at Owen Street.

Jake Murrall put the visiting Royals in front a minute before half-time, with Anthony Carney grabbing a 67th minute leveller for the Ravens.

Belper Town are fifth, but they too were held to a draw.

The Nailers found themselves 2-0 down at the Lyme Valley Stadium against Newcastle Town, for whom Tom Unwin bagged a brace in the 19th and 26th minutes. But Jon Froggatt began the comeback from the spot six minutes after the break and then Richard Adams equalised just past the hour-mark.

Mickleover Sports are sixth and now level on points with Belper after edging out Gresley FC at the Raygar Stadium.

Sports held on to claim a double over Gresley with goals from Warren Hatfield after 12 minutes, Karl Demidh on 28 minutes and an own goal from Jack Langston just after the hour mark. Rob Spencer's long-range strike had levelled on 16 minutes and Royce Turville slipped one past the keeper in the dying moments of the game but it was not enough to claim a share of the points.

Scarborough Athletic went nap at Queensgate against second-bottom Kidsgrove Athletic. Ryan Blott and veteran Gary Bradshaw both bagged braces for Boro, with Chris Bolder adding the other – all in the second period.

Romulus saw off Goole AFC 2-0 at Coles Lane with goals from Liam Francis right on half-time and a Craig Marshall penalty 10 minutes from time, while Market Drayton Town eased to a 4-2 home win over now bottom-of-the-pile Eastwood Town, whose James Murphy netted a brace. But Jake Bennett, Kyle Blake, Josh Green and Yannick Makota responded to win it for the hosts.

An 84th minute equaliser by Phil Jackman earned Brigg Town a point from a 1-1 draw with Chasetown. Trailing to Simon Brown's 31st minute strike for the visitors, Jackman struck just minutes after coming onto the pitch as a second half substitute.

Bedworth United moved up to third-bottom after a 2-0 win at the Oval against seventh-placed Carlton Town.

Second half strikes from former Coventry City player Joel Grandison and striker Bradley Munn did the damage and the Millers could have no complaints in Stuart Storer's first game in charge of the Greenbacks.

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