Saturday's South Division action review

Admittedly, second-placed Alvechurch do have two games in hand but it would take a massive loss of form for Martin Carruthers` side to prevent them winning promotion.

They got off to a terrific start on Saturday when well-travelled striker Liam Hearn put them ahead inside the opening minute. It was virtually all over by half-time as the home side led 4-0 with further goals for Fernando Bell-Toxle, Jamie Reid and Hearn again. Kieran Wells added a fifth in the 73rd minute.

Alvechurch were pushed all the way at the Sir Halley Stewart Field before winning 1-0 against Spalding United, thanks to Josh March`s goal right on half-time.

The race for the other top six spots is really close, however. Only three points separate third-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels from eighth-placed Corby Town, with Leek Town and Stamford AFC not far behind the Steelmen.

Steels were held to a 2-2 draw at the Lyme Valley Stadium by Newcastle Town, who twice fought back from being Joe Lumsden goals don in the fourth and 44th minutes, Aaron Bott cancelling out the opener after 33 minutes and Sam Wilson the second five minutes after half-time.

Cleethorpes Town, Bedworth United and Frickley Athletic currently occupy the remaining top six spots, with the latter only managing a 3-3 draw at home to bottom-markers Romulus.

Frickley raced into a 2-0 lead through Danny Frost after three minutes and Cameron Hough on 24 minutes.

Hedilberto Santos right on half-time and then Malachi Farquharson on 62 minutes pulled the Roms back on terms, only for Jacob Hazel to restore the Blues` lead 20 minutes from time. But nine minutes later, Jordan Francis salvaged a useful point for the visitors.

Cleethorpes won 2-0 at Loughborough Dynamo, thanks to Jon Oglesby after 12 minutes and then Peter Winn in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Bedworth won 2-1 at the Oval against Market Drayton Town, taking a 2-0 lead through Khaellen Bailey-Nicholls after 17 minutes and then Iyesden Christie on 63 minutes before Will Hancox replied 18 minutes from time.

Chasetown are just outside the play-off places after winning 4-2 at Carlton Town.

James O`Reilly`s 8th minute opener for the Scholars was cancelled out by Ben Hutchinson after 25 minutes. But just two minutes later, Will Whieldon restored the visitors` lead and Muzi Nduna added a third eight minutes before half-time.

Aaron Hooton`s 75th minute penalty gave the Nottingham side hope but Jacob Lovatt added a fourth to confirm Chasetown`s win in stoppage time.

Corby were beaten for only the second time in ten games at Steel Park against Lincoln United.

The visitors raced into a 3-0 lead with goals from Matt Cotton after 18 minutes, former Steelman Phil Watt two minutes later and then Jack Wightwick on 83 minutes.

United's keeper Phil McGann had saved Sam Mulready`s penalty before the Steelmen caused a nervy finale with two goals in the last few seconds from Paul Malone and Visan-Vasile Cretu.

Stamford were 3-0 Zeeco Stadium winners over Belper Town, courtesy of a Liam Adams hat-trick in 11 first half minutes – the second two both from the spot.

Leek Town came back from being a 13th minute Olly Medwynter goal down at Peterborough Sports to win 2-1, thanks to Rob Stevenson after 38 minutes and Liam Davies just shy of the hour-mark.

Elsehwere, Gresley FC moved above Sheffield FC into third-bottom spot after winning 2-0 at the BT Local Business Stadium, thanks to Matt Melbourne after 17 minutes and Danny Quinn on 62 minutes.

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