Walsall Wood crank up the pressure on table-topping Ilkeston

Darren Byfield’s men climbed to within three points of the top courtesy of their 2-0 Boxing Day win at Lye Town, while leaders Ilkeston went down to a shock 3-0 away defeat against South Normanton.

Paul Sullivan scored twice for the Wood and Lye, who are now 13th in the table, simply had no answer.

Ilkeston’s defeat also gave fresh hope to Sporting Khalsa, who ended a run of five games without a win by beating AFC Wulfrunians 4-1.

The scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story of a game of which Wulfrunians dominated the early stages and led through Jumanne Meggoe’s blast.

Wulfs also saw a goal rather harshly chalked out before Khalsa found their stride, eventually going on to win thanks to strikes from Liam Armstrong, Dan Westwood, Josh Thomas and Jay Holdcroft.

Ian Rowe’s men will look to quickly back the result up when they host Quorn tomorrow. Wulfs go to Romulus.

Bottom club Wolves Sporting were beaten 4-3 at home by Westfields, but only after giving the second-placed visitors an almighty scare.

Sporting showed superb character to twice fight back from a goal down to go in 2-2 at the break, Kieron Clarke and Taylor Allen getting the goals.

Clarke then teed up Kyle Burke to fire the hosts ahead early in the second half and it briefly looked as though they were set for a stunning win.

But a red card for Roland Agbor saw the momentum switch and Westfields hit back with two late goals to snatch the points.

Sporting host Shepshed Dynamo tomorrow.