Saturday's First South action review

Second-placed Spalding United took full advantage to move to within three points of the leaders after a comprehensive 4-0 win against Romulus at the Sir Halley Stewart Field.

Brad Wells gave the Tulips a 26th minute lead, but then striker Leon Mettam took over, netting a hat-trick with goals in the 39th, 40th and 73rd minutes.

Third-placed Witton Albion, who already possessed five games in hand on Spalding, now have six after they were also left twiddling their thumbs after their scheduled game at Stocksbridge Park Steels was postponed.

Newcastle Town moved to within a couple of points of Witton and into fourth after a 2-1 derby victory against Kidsgrove Athletic, courtesy of Kyle Baker after 67 minutes and Dan Cocks 12 minutes from time, all after Marc Grocott had given Grove a 42nd minute lead.

Newcastle moved above AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who were held to a goalless draw at the Dog & Duck by Belper Town in front of a gate of 399.

Basford United could have put pressure on Diamonds had they won at second-bottom Rugby Town, but instead are sixth and four points behind the Northamptonshire outfit after drawing 1-1.

Valley - now only a couple of points behind third-bottom Loughborough Dynamo who won on Saturday - took a 20th minute lead through Mason Rowley only for Tyrell Shannon-Lewis to level nine minutes later.

Ashley Hodgkinson after 35 minutes and Karl Demidh right on half-time, scored Dynamo`s goals in a 2-0 home win against mid-table Chasetown.

Leek Town`s top five hopes took a knock as they were held to a 0-0 draw at bottom-markers Northwich Victoria.

Elsewhere, Dan Creaney`s 85th minute goal earned Bedworth United all the points at the Oval against Gresley FC while Conner Robinson after 29 minutes and Jack McGovern on the hour-mark, were on target for Lincoln United in a 2-0 Ashby Avenue win over Market Drayton Town.

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