Saturday`s Premier Division Central Round-Up

It’s as you were at the top of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central as both leaders Tamworth and second-placed Leiston were held to 1-1 draws on Saturday – and both by teams battling at the opposite end of the table.

The Lambs made their first-ever journey to the Orbital Fasteners Stadium to take on Kings Langley.

The opening half finished goalless and the longer the game went on, the more it looked like ending that way.

However, in the 80th minute, Tamworth were awarded a penalty for a foul by Ethan Light on Ty Deacon, and although the incident looked to have taken place outside the area, the referee pointed to the spot and top scorer Dan Creaney made no mistake to give the Lambs the lead.

But credit to the hosts, who made a quick breakaway and Cain Keller’s pass was finished off by Andronicos Georgiou at the far post.

Leiston welcomed fourth-from-bottom Alvechurch to Victory Road and it was the visitors who started the quickest and took an 11th-minute lead when Harry Williams headed past Sam Donkin.

On the half-hour mark though, the Suffolk side were back on level terms when Ben Fowkes set up Will Davies to score from close range.

All-square at half-time and it finished 1-1, although Leiston came mighty close to winning it in the first minute of stoppage time but Fowkes` effort was cleared off the line.

Third-placed Nuneaton Borough took advantage of the top two dropping points by beating Warwickshire neighbours Stratford Town 1-0 at The FCS Stadium.

What turned out to be the only goal of the game in front of a crowd of 615 came from Kyle Storer, who headed a Charlie Dowd cross home at the far post.

The win takes Boro to within three points of Leiston, while the Bards remain in third-from-bottom spot.

This time last week, fourth-placed Rushall Olympic were celebrating a 7-2 hammering of Redditch United on their own Trico Stadium patch.

This week, however, the Pics were beaten 2-1 at Garden Walk by a Royston Town side who are now sixth, albeit seven points adrift of fifth-placed Coalville Town, and having played six more games than the Ravens.

It did look though as if Liam McDonald’s men would take a point home until a late winner from the Crows.

It was Steve Castle’s side who took a 29th-minute lead through Adam Murray.

And they held that lead until half-time.

The visitors grabbed an equaliser with 8 minutes remaining, courtesy of Sam Whittall.

But in the first of 4 added minutes at the end of the game, Shomari Barnwell fired Royston’s winner.

Coalville are now just three points behind Rushall – with five games in hand - after winning 3-1 at second-from-bottom Hednesford Town.

The Pitmen’s player-manager Danny Glover brought in several new faces and one of those, Max Brogan, gave the hosts an early 5th-minute lead direct from a free-kick.

Hednesford held that advantage until the break, and it wasn’t until the 77th minute that Tim Berridge equalised.

Five minutes later, Coalville were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ashley Chambers and Eliot Putman duly converted the resulting spot-kick.

Then, on 86 minutes, Adam Stevens` side confirmed victory when Chambers netted from close range.

Ilkeston Town are seventh after edging a best-of-five win at the Microlise New Manor Ground against a Bedford Town side who are now 17th.

A crowd of 715 saw the visitors shock the majority in the stadium by taking the lead after 48 seconds when Joe Butterworth finished neatly from the edge of the area.

And when the Eagles doubled their advantage with only 13 minutes gone when a poor back pass went straight to Connor Tomlinson who had plenty of time and space to score, things looked bleak for the Robins.

The hosts came close to reducing the deficit in the 22nd minute but Remaye Campbell’s header struck a post from Connor Dixon's cross.

Eight minutes after half-time, Ilkeston did manage to get on the scoresheet with a Henri Wilder header.

And less than 2 minutes later, the hosts were back on level terms when veteran forward Leroy Lita showed excellent control and skill to finish well.

Then, on 61 minutes, Joe Wilson burst into the box and crashed home a half-volley to put Ilkeston 3-2 up.

New loanee keeper from Sheffield United, Callum Hiddleston, produced a fine save just after the goal from Butterworth to prevent an Eagles` leveller and in stoppage time was called on again to save from D’Sean Theobalds, but the hosts held on for all three points.

Redditch recovered well from last week’s thrashing by Rushall Olympic to beat St Ives Town 2-0 at the Trico Stadium.

Jack Byrne gave the Reds a 14th-minute lead that Murphy Culkin doubled after 33 minutes.

Level on points with Redditch in ninth are Mickleover, who pushed Needham Market further towards the drop zone with a 2-0 win at the Don Amott Arena.

Elliott Reeves put Sports ahead after 15 minutes and then, with 20 minutes remaining, George Nunn ensured the points went to John McGrath’s side with a second.

The two teams now immediately below Mickleover, Hitchin Town and Stourbridge, shared a 1-1 Top Field stalemate.

A crowd of 539 saw an eventful second half after an even opening 45 minutes.

It was the Canaries who broke the deadlock after 63 minutes when, following a great run by loanee Daniel Idiakhoa, Jack Snelus fired home.

But just 4 minutes later, Hitchin were dealt a massive blow when they had goalkeeper Charlie Horlock sent-off for two bookable offences and outfield player Lewis Barker was forced to don the gloves.

The resulting penalty was duly converted by Tyler Lyttle.

Then on 86 minutes, midfielder Barker made a terrific save to dent Reece Styche from pinching a Glassboys win.

It’s looking bleak for AFC Rushden & Diamonds as the bottom side lost 1-0 at Hayden Road to a Barwell side who have moved up the table to 14th.

The only goal of the game came after 17 minutes when Beck-Ray Enoru went through to beat debutant French keeper Loris Marcimain.

Defeat leaves Diamonds on 15 points – 8 behind third-from-bottom Stratford.

The day’s other game between Basford United and Bromsgrove Sporting – two teams in mid-table separated by only two points – ended all-square at 1-1.

Kameron Campbell’s 55th minute effort for the Nottinghamshire hosts looked to be enough, until Jack Tolley popped up with a stoppage time equaliser for the Rouslers.