Tuesday's First Division South review

By David Watters

The big issues at the top and bottom of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's First Division South table are still to be settled after Tuesday night's action, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Leaders Shaw Lane AFC and second-placed Witton Albion are still separated by just a single point, with the latter having a crucial game in hand, making their meeting next Tuesday as a real title-deciding 'six-pointer'.

Shaw Lane beat Belper Town 4-1 at home on Tuesday to maintain their advantage, coming back from being a 20th minute Jonathan Williams goal down at the break to win.

Alex Byrne equalised seven minutes after the restart and Ben Algar swiftly put them in front. Gavin Allott then bagged a brace in the 60th and 68th minutes to seal all three points.

Second half goals from Michael Wilson on 65 minutes and Karl Noon on 83 saw Witton beat fourth-bottom but safe Carlton Town 2-0 at Wincham Park.

The Millers can count themselves a little unlucky at not returning from Cheshire with at least a point after twice striking the woodwork. Albion will also point to a disallowed goal and a number of missed opportunities in an entertaining encounter.

Fourth-placed Newcastle Town were beaten 3-2 by inconsistent Market Drayton Town in Shropshire.

The home side raced into a 3-0 lead with goals from Ben Osei after 18 minutes, Matt Cohen after 32 minutes and then Will Whieldon just four minutes from time. But Castle threatened a comeback when they reduced the deficit through Lee Cropper in the 89th and 90th minutes before running out of time in the end.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds` top five hopes also took a blow when they were beaten 2-1 at mid-table Chasetown.

Ryan Wynter gave the Scholars a 13th minute lead that top scorer Nabil Shariff cancelled out six minutes into the second half from the penalty spot following a handball. But a Jack Langston goal 15 minutes from time won it for Chasetown.

That allowed Lincoln United to move level on points with sixth-placed Diamonds after beating bottom-markers Loughborough Dynamo 3-0 at Ashby Avenue with a second half brace from Sean Cann and a last minute goal from Joshua Barr-Rostron.

Stocksbridge Park Steels are also still in with a shout of a top five spot after they won the derby at the Coach & Horses against Sheffield FC to move to within a point of Diamonds and Lincoln.

Joe Lumsden`s 32nd minute goal for Steels separated the teams at the break before Lee Cooksey equalised 11 minutes into the second half and Scott Ruthven won it for Club`s neighbours 19 minutes from time.

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