Brocton suffer setback in Midland Premier Division title race
Brocton suffered a setback in the Midland League Premier Division title race after slipping to a 2-1 home defeat against Atherstone Town.
Will Whieldon fired Brocton ahead inside 21 minutes but goals from Ryan Harkin and Christopher Cowley consigned them to a first defeat in 11 league games.
League leaders Lichfield City took full advantage by stretching their lead at the summit to four points with a 1-0 win at Northwich Victoria thanks to Callum Griffin's solitary strike.
Stone Old Alleynians climbed into seventh after romping to a 4-0 victory over Studley to end a run of five matches without a win.
Jack Tomlinson opened the scoring inside 24 minutes and doubled his tally four minutes after the restart.
Oliver Griffiths added a third midway into the second half and substitute Harrison Harper completed the scoring eight minutes from time.
Dudley Town won 4-2 on a thrilling encounter against second from bottom Highgate Town.
Joe Colley and Mark Funge propelled Dudley into a two-goal lead inside 25 minutes but Randy Osei scored twice in three minutes to haul Highgate level before the interval.
Ethan Muckley climbed off the bench to score a brace and secure Dudley's third league win in a row.
Elsewhere, AFC Wulfrunians were condemned to a 3-0 defeat at Uttoxeter Town and Tividale remain just two points clear of the drop zone after losing 2-0 at home to Shifnal Town.
In Division One, Cradley Town still occupy the final play-off spot despite falling to a first defeat in eight games.
Cradley boasted a five-match winning streak prior to kick-off but first half strikes from Aaron Windram and Jude Ayetine guided Ingles to a 2-0 win.
That presented Bilston Town with a chance to move to within one-point of the play-offs but they were beaten 4-2 by Birstall United Social.
Second from bottom Wednesfield Community suffered their seventh straight defeat after losing 1-0 at home to Sutton United and Gornal Athletic and Smethwick Rangers served up a goalless stalemate.
Taylor Draper's 90th-minute equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at Stockport Georgians to keep Stafford Town at the top of the North West Counties League Division One South on goal difference.
Eccleshall climbed one place into eighth with a 3-1 victory over Shawbury United. Liam Hallam opened the scoring inside two minutes before Thomas Messham wrapped up the win with a second half brace.
Wolverhampton Sporting Community sit second from bottom after losing 4-0 at home to Foley Meir.
