HEDNESFORD Town are second in the Northern Premier League West division after extending their unbeaten run to 13 games.
Their 3-1 win over Newcastle Town at Keys Park saw them concede a rare goal – their first after a six-game run of clean sheets.
But the Pitmen fought back from behind after a 15th minute goal from Newcastle’s Olly Armstrong.
Dan Trickett-Smith forced home an equaliser before the break – and goals from Jack Bearne and Joe Doyle-Charles sealed the win.
Hednesford are now seven points off leaders Widnes who beat Bootle 2-1 on Saturday.
Pitmen No2 Lee Vaughan praised the character of the players who went behind early on.
He told the club’s official YouTube channel: “It was a frustrating first half, we played against a team who had no fear.
“But we reacted to the goal really well – we’re not going to keep a clean sheet every week, and that reaction meant a lot to us.
“I think they deserved their goal, but boy, we reacted in the right way, and I was really pleased with that.
“It didn’t change what were going to do. I was comfortable second half when we scored, there was only going to be one winner. We took the game to them and we expressed ourselves. We played the way we want us to play, and credit has to go to the players.
“People talk about the run we’ve had, but for us, it’s all about the players. They’re the ones who are driving it now – it doesn’t always have to come from us, so I’m really pleased with the group.”
But neighbours Chasetown are still in the play-off mix after beating Stafford Rangers 2-0.
Two second half goals from Luke Yates and Danny O’Callaghan sealed the points at The Stan Robinson Stadium in front of a crowd of just over 1,000.
The game turned the Scholars’ way when Ackeme Francis-Burrell was sent off.
Chasetown took the lead when George Cater’s cross was headed home by Yates.
Cater was the supplier for the Scholars’ second half goal as O’Callaghan’s header made sure of the points.
They almost had a third when O’Callaghan had an effort cleared off the line.
