Hucknall Town strengthened their hopes of a top ten finish in the United Counties Premier Division North on Saturday afternoon, overturning a half-time deficit to win 2-1 away to play-off chasing, Belper United.

The hosts took the lead midway through the first period when a low effort was drilled past Luke Jeffery and into his bottom corner, despite chances for the visitors via Surafel Tefera and Niall Towle.

Early in the second, and within minutes of a couple of changes from the visitors, the game was levelled up as Chae Whitman-Brown harasses the home defender to snatch the ball, plays it across goal, for Niall Towle to put home the equaliser.

One soon became two for thew visiting Yellows when, just before the game ticked into the final twenty, they led for the first time, substitute Bradley Wells, on the field less than fifteen minutes, collects a ball over the top, slips between the home defence, and proceeds to lob what proved the winner, over the home ‘keeper.

The sides continued to create chances as the game wore on, Wells seeing a second goal chalked off late on, the visitors though holding on for a valuable, three points.

Hucknall Town – Luke Jeffery, Reece Sugars, Dillon Rawson, Omreiki Myles (Ethan Hulley, 54), Aaron Short, Taylor Jaine (Aaron Lamb, 60), Joseph Ashurst, Luis Parkes, Niall Towle (Max Scoular, 77), Surafel Tefera (Bradley Wells, 54), Chae Whitman-Brown (Samuel Sims, 83)

Elsewhere in the Premier North, it was defeat for leaders Eastwood CFC, they falling to a 2-1 reverse away to Wisbech Town, Aaron Opoku’s goal late in the first cancelled out by a second half brace by the hosts’ Sam Bennett.

AFC Mansfield also saw their play-off bid dented a little when held to a 1-1 draw away to rivals Lincoln United, Kaylum Mitchell having netted in the first half, and there was also defeat for mid-table Newark & Sherwood, losing 2-1 at Harrowby United, Tyler Dacres having put the visitors in front just after the hour mark only for the hosts to net twice in the final fifteen minutes.

Ryan Rushen grabbed a hat-trick for Newark Town as they kept their play-off bid alive, they now just a point off fifth place Mansfield, and five off second place Bourne Town, with a game in hand on a couple of the sides above them; the score, a 3-1 home win over Sleaford Town.

And at the other end of the table, Kimberley Miners Welfare picked up their sixth win of the season, Aaron Coyle’s first half goal giving them the points in a 1-0 win at Shirebrook Town, moving them withing a point of third bottom Gresley Rovers, with a game in hand.

Division One leaders, Retford, also fell to a defeat, they losing 1-0 away to Selston, courtesy of Jordan Black’s effort just before the break, second place Clay Cross Town three behind, with a game in hand.

Retford United put in their best away performance of the season when easing to a 6-1 win at mid-table Coalville Town, Kieran Knight helping himself to a hat-trick alongside second half efforts from Jake Champion, Ross Goodwin, and Brandon Kane.

Stapleford Town continued their push for a play-off spot, sitting in eighth place, four points off Clipstone, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Staveley Miners Welfare; Town, they claimed a 3-0 win away to Clifton All Whites as Samuel Harbottle opened the scoring deep into stoppage time, Charlie Jackson and Jahred Russell adding to the tally in the second half.

Kuwsi Ofushine scored twice as Radford also scored three, winning 3-1 at home to Sandiacre, whilst Evan West bagged a brace for Rainworth Miners Welfare in their 4-1 success over visiting Holwell Sports. +

Southwell City won 2-1 at home to Blackstones thanks to goals from Olver Barrow and Calum Law, and Dunkirk lost by the same score when facing visitors Pinxton.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @HucknallTownfc action between Hucknall in yellow and Belper.