Wednesday's South Division action review

By David Watters

Stamford AFC moved five points clear of seventh-placed Leek Town in the race for a play-off place in the EVO-STIK League South after sharing a 1-1 draw with neighbours Corby Town at Steel Park on Wednesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

A good crowd of 437 came to watch the derby, although few were able to see that much of the game as thick fog encompassed the Rockingham Hill area.

The Daniels went ahead after 31 minutes when a corner to the far post was headed in by Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson. Then on 64 minutes, the Steelmen had a great chance to equalise when Delroy Gordon brought down Jake Bettles in the box.

But Stamford `keeper Dan Haystead produced a fine save from Jordon Crawford`s resulting penalty. However, with less than three minutes remaining, Corby did get their leveller when a Steven Leslie corner was bundled home by sub Ryan Bell.

In the evening's other game, Kidsgrove Athletic suffered a 5-2 defeat to Peterborough Sports at the Novus stadium – a result which means that Sports are safe from being relegated, with Grove still not safe.

The visitors should have taken the lead in the 11th minute when Grove conceded a penalty after Rhys Thompson brought down Josh Moreman in the box. Dave Parton stopped the penalty with a terrific save to deny Lewis Hilliard. But just a couple of minutes later, Jordan MacLeod chipped Parton to give Sports a lead their start deserved.

Mark Jones doubled the visitors` advantage after 26 minutes, but an own goal by Richard Jones just 3 minutes later pulled Grove back into the match. Hilliard made amends for his penalty miss by making it 3-1 just seven minutes into the second half, only for Jonathan Beaumont to equalise with 11 minutes remaining.

But Hilliard again three minutes later, and then Mark Jones in the 87th minute, took the game away from the hosts and give Sports security in their first season at this level.

Images courtesy of @corbytownfc/Twitter

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Where next?

Last four are lining up for charity Integro League Cup hopefuls Atherton Collieries, Coalville Town, Hednesford Town and South Shields are getting ready to kick off for charity tonight (Thursday) in the semi-finals of the Northern Premier League's showpiece cup competition.
Hardy secured and planning ahead Chris Hardy has started working on his promotion plans for Whitby Town next season after earning a new deal with the EVO-STIK League's Seasiders.

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