Lye Town 2, Coleshill Town 1

THIRD in the table Lye Town improved their prospects of a top three finish this season after eclipsing second placed Coleshill Town following a compelling contest at Stourbridge Road, writes Nick Pullen.

Lively Lye took a ninth minute lead when Ricky Anslow combined with strike partner Craig Gregg who cleverly lobbed goalkeeper Chris Jay.

Lye looked the better side throughout the first half but survived a real scare on 18 minutes when Coleshill captialised on some dreadful defending but goalkeeper Damien Stevens came to the rescue with a point-blank save to keep out Degwin Ebanks.

Colehill clawed themselves back level four minutes into the second half after Matt Johnson had brought down the dangerous Tom Weale on the edge of the penalty area. Shane Benjamin's following free kick somehow found its way through Lye's defensive wall and into the net with Stevens left flatfooted.

But Lye were back ahead on 55 minutes when Coleshill defender Rob Evans needlessly brought down the predatory Anslow, who promptly got up to despatch the resulting penalty, taking his league tally to 31 in the process.

Coleshill came on strong in the closing stages.

Just three minutes after falling behind, Benjamin headed against the post and the ball rebounded back into Lye's goalmouth before it was hoofed clear.

On 84 minutes, Coleshill created the best opening of the game when substitute Mykel Beckley was put in the clear with only Stevens to beat, but managed to place his shot wide.

Stevens then came to Lye's rescue again right on the stroke of stoppage time when he kept out a goal bound shot from Coleshill's Danny Douglas.

Lye Town: Damian Stevens; Dan Jones, Matt Johnson, Brad Smith, Max Bissell, Simon Williams, Craig Gregg, Scott Gennard, James Spray, Ricky Anslow, Ben Jevons.

Subs: Kevin Nickle, Andy Mitchell, Elliott Davies, Jamie Haynes, George Rogers.