Saturday's First South action review

Spalding United hold a one-point lead but had to be content with a point from their game at the Sir Halley Stewart Fields against a yet-to-be-beaten Gresley FC.

The Moatmen have only played six league matches due to their cup exploits, but came back from 2-0 down to share the spoils after Nathan Whitehead after just three minutes and then Bradley Wells on the hour-mark had the Tulips two-up. Courtney Meade pulled the first back on 69 minutes and then Pearson Mwanyongo equalised two minutes from time.

Second-placed Shaw Lane AFC were grateful for an 80th minute at the Dog & Duck against AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Diamonds opened the scoring on 22 minutes when Liam Dolman headed home Nic Evangelinos’ corner at the far post. And Evangelinos was out of luck four minutes later as he struck the crossbar after the visiting goalkeeper had denied Tom Lorraine.

Diamonds were then denied a win with 10 minutes to go when Shaw Lane picked up a point with an Alex Byrne equaliser.

Newcastle Town pulled closer in third after a 1-0 home win over Loughborough Dynamo, thanks to Jordan Cole`s 66th minute penalty.

However, Witton Albion were beaten for the first time this season to date and are now fifth.

They led 2-0 at Carlton Town with goals from George Miller after 37 minutes and Tolani Omotola just before the hour-mark. But the Nottingham side battled back through Ed Schoenecker a couple of minutes later and then a Romello Nangle brace in the final seven minutes won it for the hosts.

Witton`s close neighbours Northwich Victoria, however, finally broke the win-less duck by beating Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-0 at home with goals from Dan Cockerline after 67 minutes, Jamie Hinchcliffe on 81 minutes and Alex Mudimu in injury-time.

Managerless Rugby Town slipped to the bottom of the table following a 1-0 defeat at Lincoln United, whose Kallum Smith scored six minutes from time.

Second-bottom Kidsgrove Athletic battled back from three-down but still lost at home to Bedworth United!

The Greenbacks raced into a 3-0 lead with goals from Jordan Archer, Elliot Parrott and Jonathan Gould by the 27th minute. But three goals in five minutes straddling half-time from Harry Clayton and a Dan Turner brace pulled Grove level, only for Archer to grab his second and the visitors` fourth on 58 minutes.

Stamford AFC dropped to third-bottom, despite picking up a point from a 1-1 draw at Sheffield FC.

It looked like being all three though for the Daniels as they broke the deadlock through Oliver Brown-hill nine minutes from time, only for Alec Denton to equalise from the spot in stoppage time.

Leek Town led at Harrison Park against Chasetown by Jake Dunwoody`s fourth minute effort but trailed as the Scholars` Jack Langston bagged a brace in the 13th and 33rd minutes. Tim Grice did likewise for the hosts, however, in the 34th and 70th minutes to seal a 3-2 verdict.

A goal from Ben Hutchinson right on half-time eventually proved enough for Basford United in a 1-0 win at home to Market Drayton Town.

* Romulus moved into third place after edging out Belper Town 2-1 at Coles Lane on Friday night.

Having won their opening five games, Roms had suffered back-to-back defeats leading into the game against a Nailers side who had also lost their previous two matches. Nathaniel Waite gave the home side a 19th minute lead.

And they held that until nine minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty that Mark Branch duly converted. Alex Steadman reduced the deficit as stoppage time approached to make it a nervy final few minutes, but the Roms held firm to go third, albeit maybe only for a few hours.

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