Fourth placed Hednesford Town travelled to Hanley Town who were languishing in 21st place in the league, with both sides, for different reasons, desperate for the three points on offer.
The Pitmen got off to a quick start, Dom McHale went close with an effort in the second minute, pulling the ball just wide of the net. However, the visitors would take the lead 5 minutes later with Ollie Harrison heading home Dan Trickett-Smith’s freekick. Ahkeem Rose had a couple of chances to increase the lead, firstly in a one on one with the keeper, when Adam Whitehouse made a fortuitous save with his legs. Rose was close again when he shot over from Jack Bearne’s cross. The Pitmen dominated the first half, but failed to extend their lead, as Bearne forced another save from Whitehouse just before the half time break.
HT 0-1
The second half was a drab affair as neither side were able to dig out many goal scoring opportunities. Korey Roberts shot wide from a Pitmen corner, and McHale had a decent opening thwarted by the offside flag. Substitute Nathan Blissett called upon Whitehouse to make a save with a headed effort before Tony Breeden was forced into a double save at the other end. Dan Trickett-Smith went close with a chipped shot that almost sailed over Whitehouse. Hanley Town came more into the game towards the end as the searched for an equaliser, however the visiting defence held strong as the Pitmen claimed all three points towards their promotion push.
Hednesford Town; Breeden, Morgan, Taylor, Maye, Harrison, Roberts, Bearne (Sutherland 83), Doyle-Charles, Rose (Watson 72), McHale (Blissett 61), Trickett-Smith. Subs not used. Spence, Brown.
Hanley Town; Whitehouse, Taroni, Lawton, Muirhead, Stair, Briscoe, Svarc, Bowden (T Wakefield 36) Jatta (J Wakefield 61), Cooke, Hodkin. Subs not used, Bretton, Marcisz
