Lincoln United are the new leaders of the United Counties League Premier North after both Eastwood CFC, and Bourne Town, dropped points in Saturday’s round of matches.

With the Red Badgers suffering a second-half collapse against visitors Newark & Sherwood United, and Bourne being held to a 1-1 draw when home to second bottom Gresley Rovers, Lincoln took over leadership when edging a five-goal thriller at home to Wisbech Town.

For Eastwood, it was certainly an afternoon, well second half at least, to forget; leading through Aaron O’Connor’s opener midway through the first half, a lead they took into the break, the second half was, quite possibly, the stuff of nightmares, as The Highwaymen turned on the style.

Having been fouled just outside the box, Kieran Cummings stepped up to curl the equaliser into the bottom corner within seven minutes of the restart, and they never looked back.

Kane Auld, on his debut for The Highway, gave the visitors the lead with twenty minutes remaining, before Cummings added his second, and their third, as the game headed towards the final ten, with Luke White wrapping up the points with six minutes remaining.

Lincoln’s win against Wisbech sees them open a little two-point gap at the top, with four games remaining.

The race for the last play-off spot sees three teams tied on 62pts, and two of those are from Nottinghamshire, but Heanor Town holding the last after their win over the latter, Newark Town, 4-2, courtesy of an Ethan Wiesztort brace, the hosts replying with early goals from Ryan Rushen and Louis Czerwak.

Sandwiched between those two are AFC Mansfield, who won 1-0 at home to Melton Town thanks to a late, first half goal, from Ryan Ingram; Hucknall Town won 2-1 at home to Deeping Rangers courtesy of Solace Uyi-Olaye and Reece Sugars goals, whilst Kimberley Miners Welfare moved out of the bottom two thanks to a 3-o win at Harrowby United – Paul Johnson, Finn Ryder, and Lewis Weaver with the goals.

The remaining game involving Notts-based clubs in the Premier saw bottom club Shirebrook Town fall to a 4-1 loss at Boston Town, Jack Yeomans with the goal.

Mid-table Radford were the days’ top scorers, the Division One side romping to a 7-0 win away to Clifton All Whites, doing so for the second successive week (defeated Rainworth by the same seven days earlier); against Clifton Abdul Bakare fired a four-goal salvo alongside further efforts Fola Agbemi, Harry Goddard, and Kuwsi Ofushine – the Pheasants only led 2-0 at the break.

Elsewhere in Division One, Retford now find themselves five points behind leaders Clay Cross Town, the former being held to a 2-2 draw away to Stapleford Town, the latter winning 3-0 at West Bridgford.

Retford United are still sitting nicely in third place after their 5-0 win at home to Dunkirk, on what was a landmark outing for Mark West, he netting the fifth goal, on his 150th appearance for the club.

Mykah Skervin scored twice for Gedling Miners Welfare as they won 2-0 away to Holwell Sports to remain on the fringes of the play-offs, mid-table Southwell City were narrowly beaten, 1-0, at home to Pinxton, Selston were held to a 1- draw at home to Staveley Miners Welfare, whilst there were defeats for Rainworth Miners Welfare, and Sandiacre Town.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @ScottMessom action between Eastwood and Newark & Sherwood United.