Tuesday's First Division South review

8 Mar 2017 By David Watters

First Division South news

Shaw Lane AFC remain nine points clear of second-placed Witton Albion, who have two games in hand, after both earned good away wins in EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division South on Tuesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Barnsley side had a 54th minute Gavin Allott effort to thank for a 1-0 win at mid-table Sheffield FC.

Witton, meanwhile, won 2-0 at the Dog & Duck against sixth-placed AFC Rushden & Diamonds, whose own play-off hopes suffered another set-back.

In front of a crowd of 435, Witton took the lead after 16 minutes when Steven Tames scored from close range after Ben Heath had saved from Tom Owens. The Diamonds were left cursing their luck after the break when Taylor Orosz’s strike hit the inside of the post before the visitors doubled their lead on 66 minutes when Rob Hopley hammered home from close range.

Fifth-placed Leek Town clung on to a point at Harrison Park against Stocksbridge Park Steels, thanks to some heroics from keeper Ben Chapman.

The home side led through Francino Francis` 11th minute effort, but were pegged back by Scott Ruthven`s 65th minute reply. Chapman then kept Steels at bay as Leek struggled for form in front of the home crowd.

Tuesday`s other game saw Bedworth United achieve a good 3-2 win at Christchurch meadow against Belper Town.

The Greenbacks` Dan Creaney scored the only goal of the first half five minutes before the break. Evan Garnett equalised just before the hour-mark and Matt Richards put the Nailers in front on 68 minutes. But goals in the final three minutes from Creaney again and Jamie McAteer, turned the game in the Greenbacks favour.

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Where next?

Tuesday's Premier Division action review Blyth Spartans bounced back from defeat at Sutton Coldfield Town to maintain their ten point lead at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier's top flight by beating Frickley Athletic 5-1 on Tuesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Hot-shot scores on fourth debut! Hot-shot Liam Hardy scored for Buxton on his return to the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's top flight on Tuesday night.