The top-of-the-table clash in United Counties Premier North on Saturday afternoon went, agonisingly, in favour of second place Bourne Town, as they cut the gap on leaders Eastwood CFC, to just the one point.

With just five games left to play, and with Lincoln United also in the mix, it’s going to be a nail-biting finale to the season; between them, the top three sides have won sixty-eight times this season, losing eighteen, out of ninety-nine overall.

Over 600 fans turned out at Abbey Lawn for the battle of the top two, and it would be just the one goal that would separate them, and, although both sides created chances, it would be a thunderbolt from outside the area by Robbie Ellis, past Samuel Wilson, with thirteen minutes remaining, that would decide the contest.

Lincoln meanwhile, they kept up the pressure with a narrow, 2-1 win, when at the Stag Recreation Ground, against Kimberley Miners Welfare, Joshua Timson coming off the bench to score late on for the hosts.

The visitors had taken the lead as early as the sixth minute through Owen Vincent and, although Kimberley equalised, the visitors snatched a winner after a curled effort from Scott Matthews, beat Ben Allsop, and knocked into the back of his net.

Newark Town kept their hopes of making the play-offs alive when they also won 2-1, doing so at mid-table Hucknall Town; Ritche Ingham and Louis Czerwak had afforded the visitors a two-goal lead inside the opening ten minutes, the hosts halving the deficit late on via Solace Uyi-Olaye.

Bottom of the table Shirebrook Town held visiting Skegness Town to a goalless draw, as Gresley Rovers shocked mid-table hosts Newark & Sherwood United, with a 3-2 win, Kameron Campbell and Kieran Cummings, netting early in each half for the hosts.

In Division One meanwhile, Retford failed to capitalise on Clay Cross Town’s inactivity when slipping to a narrow, 1-0 defeat, at home to lowly Rainworth Miners Welfare, Thomas Belford with the only goal of the game late in the first half.

Third place Retford United picked up a narrow win of their own as well, 2-1 at play-off rivals Clipstone, as Ross Goodwin and Kieran Knight netted at the start of each half, Jamie York replying just after the hour mark for the hosts.

Gedling Miners Welfare now find themselves on the play-off fringes after they won 2-1 at home to Stapleford Town, late goals from Mykah Skervin and Jack Jepson putting them two points off fifth, Samuel Harbottle replying.

Dunkirk romped to a comfortable, 4-0 win away to Holwell Sports thanks to goals from Isaac Morledge, Max Taylor, George Harrison and a late fourth by Rio Murray, and Sandiacre Town won 2-0 at West Bridgford via goals from Labrada Domini and Tristan Elson; Southwell City drew 2-2 at Pinxton, and Selston were held to a goalless draw with visiting Coalville Town.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @BourneTownFC Robbie Ellis celebrates his goal for Bourne against Eastwood.