"Outstanding" Lichfield City praised as they power closer to title - round-up

Lichfield captain Daniel Lomas took the lead for the visitors, converting a corner 26 minutes in, while Wulfrunians missed out on a chance to equalise with a penalty just before the break, writes Dan Hickey.

The victory came only a month after the hosts dumped Lichfield out of the Midland League Cup 4-2, however this weekend saw a closer result as neither side wanted to give any chances away.

Wulfrunians manager John Griffiths said: “Bit of a difficult one to take because I think it was a very even first half and then, second half, we've come out and we've done everything that we can – other than broke them down,

“But, I do feel that Lichfield are now in a better place than they were, probably, last season, and managed to obviously grind out the win and at the end of the day for them, with where they are in the league, they'll be just looking to chalk them off one by one and just move on to the next one.

“So, understand how they went about their business and what they wanted to achieve from the game. And I feel like they did, we just came up short today so.

“We go again, dust ourselves down and go again.”

Lichfield boss Ivor Green credited his side’s defensive display: “I think that the middle four just put a complete shift in.

“They're known for being very technically gifted footballers. The graft they've put in today, the tackles, the blocks, the second balls. Phenomenal.

“But you'd have to say that the defenders in particular were just outstanding.”

Reg Smith scored twice for Brocton in a 3-1 home victory over mid-table Stourport Swifts to strengthen their play-off position.

Cameron Osborne was also on target as the third-placed Badgers sit just a point behind Shifnal in second.

Tividale won a league match for the first time since October 1 to win a giant relegation six-pointer and climb out of the drop zone.

Jordan Sangha was the two-goal hero for visitors Tivi at Highgate United. Sangha netted early on and sealed the 3-1 success in Solhull in the closing stages. Alfie Higgs also netted.

Tividale climbed out of the bottom two, above Highgate, and two points clear of the drop.

Basement boys Wolverhampton Casuals claimed a useful point with a goalless draw at home to Dudley Town in a Black Country Derby.

Visitors Dudley, in seventh, lost more ground on the top five as Casuals went level on points with Highgate, also two adrift of Tividale.

Stone Old Alleynians were beaten 1-0 at Atherstone and OJM Black Country lost 3-1 at Northwich Victoria.

Division One saw a 3-1 victory for play-off chasing Smethwick Rangers against second-bottom strugglers Wednesfield.

Bilston Town lost 6-2 at Heather St. John's and Gornal Athletic were edged out 1-0 at Garden Walk by Stapenhill. Cradley Town's home clash against Coton Green was rained off.

Elsewhere, Stafford Town were unable to take full advantage of leaders Winsford's postponement with a home draw against lowly Foley Meir in North West Counties First Division South.

Town's Taylor Draper equalised after the break to cancel out Meir's opener and Jayden Hunter struck midway through the half and it appeared the hosts would claim the victory.

But the visitors' Jay Finney struck eight minutes from time to leave Stafford eight points behind the leaders with a game in hand.

Second-bottom Wolves Sporting are seven points from safety after losing 3-0 at mid-table Cammell Laird.