Saturday's First South action review

Shaw Lane hold a nine-point lead but Albion possess two games in hand, so the meeting between the pair in Barnsley on April 11th is looking more and more like a title decider.

There`s plenty of football to be played before then though and Shaw Lane`s last-gasp win over play-off chasing Newcastle Town shows there aren`t many `gimme` matches in this division.

Castle led through Jordan Cole`s effort just before the break. Ryan Qualter eventually equalised with eight minutes to go and then Gavin Allott popped up with the home side`s winner in stoppage time.

Witton were also involved in a tricky test at the Sir Halley Stewart Field against third-placed Spalding United, Bradley Bauress` 11th minute 20-yard effort eventually proving enough for Albion.

The play-off race is really hotting up behind Spalding, with only a point separating a now fourth-placed AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Leek Town in seventh.

Diamonds comfortably won 4-1 at bottom side Northwich Victoria, thanks to a hat-trick from Nabil Shariff in the 17th, 60th and 90th minutes after Jack Bowen had given the visitors an 11th minute lead.

In the end, Stuart Macdonald`s 41st minute penalty was all Vics could respond with and they are in real danger of dropping into the North West Counties Football League.

Kyle Dixon`s goal 12 minutes from time at home against Gresley FC lifted Basford United into the top five, while Leek`s hopes took a blow when they lost 1-0 at Harrison Park to a penalty five minutes from time converted by Belper Town`s Jonathan Williams.

Rugby Town pulled out of the bottom two after a good 3-0 win at Romulus.

The Valley, who have been in the bottom three since September, gave themselves hope of beating the drop, thanks to two goals from David Kolodynski, sandwiching Ryan Quinn`s goal on the hour-mark.

The drop looks to be between the current bottom three, with Loughborough Dynamo being a point behind Rugby after losing 4-2 at Bracken Moor to Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Scott Ruthven, Brodie Litchfield and Richard Stirrup had them three-up before Karl Demidh and Sam Thorpe replied late on for Dynamo, Harrison Biggins making it 4-2 in stoppage time.

Carlton Town have a seven-point cushion on Rugby after drawing 0-0 at home to Bedworth United.

Chasetown and Sheffield FC also shared a goalless draw while Market Drayton Town virtually ended Lincoln United`s top five hopes with a 2-1 home win, courtesy of goals from Will Whieldon on 38 minutes and Jud Ellis five minutes from time after James Blunden had equalised a minute before the break.

Elsewhere, Stamford AFC and Kidsgrove Athletic shared a 1-1 draw at the Zeeco Stadium in which Anthony Malbon`s 68th minute opener for Grove was levelled eight minutes from time by Jamie McGhee.

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