Tividale 2, Lincoln United 0

A BRILLIANT display from Jordan Archer kept Tividale's faint hopes of crashing this season's play-off party alive and kicking.

The forward's name may not be on the scoresheet but he was instrumental in handing his side all three points against Lincoln United at The Beeches today.

Manager Ian Long's men still face a tough task to claim the final spot, especially as victory couldn't take them above the visitors, who still sit one place above in eighth.

However, with games still to come against the likes of sixth-placed Sutton Coldfield, leaders Mickleover, fifth-placed Gresley and fourth-placed Spalding, there is still a glimmer of hope that a late push for the play-offs is not yet out of reach.

Those chances were given a boost after the direct running of Archer saw him win two first half penalties that were gratefully dispatched by Zac Foster.

The first came after just two minutes when Archer surged into the area after collecting the ball out on the left flank. A turn of foot left two defenders trailing and he was eventually upended by United's Matthew Cotton.

Foster stepped up to place the ball beyond keeper Robert Peet and hand the hosts a perfect start to the afternoon.

Lincoln reacted well to going behind and had prolonged periods of possession without threatening Charlie Price in the 'Dale goal.

They did work a couple of half chances just before the 20th minute mark, but Tivi dealt with the threat well.

Midfielder Ryan Winwood blocked a powerful effort by Cotton after forward Andrew Hutchinson had kept the ball alive at the back post.

Then, one minute later, striker Scott Ruthuen hit an effort against the outside of the post after bringing down a lofted ball into the box.

Despite a period of pressure from the visitors, it was Tivi that doubled their advantage before half time.

The home side broke with real purpose as Chris Field played a sublime through ball to Archer. He raced onto the pass and managed to get his toe to the ball ahead of the outrushing Peet.

Again the referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot, and again Foster converted well, this time sending the ball into the opposite corner of Peet's net.

The second half was another even affair but Tivi never really looked in danger of letting Lincoln back in the contest.

The visitors managed to work Price for the first time in the 47th minute when Hutchinson turned well but shot straight at the keeper from just outside the box.

It was a rare chance for either side as the game became a midfield battle for possession.

But, it was Tivi that carried the bigger threat when they did get the ball forward thanks to the accomplished hold up play and clever movement of Archer.

He gave his markers a difficult afternoon as he looked to both link up and turn in behind.

Winwood hit the top of the bar direct from a corner in the 72nd minute, which came about after more good work from Archer.

The forward then failed to divert a Andy Parson's cross on target just a minute later.

Perhaps Lincoln's best chance of the game fell to Ruthuen in the 88th minute. He met a deep cross from substitute Elliott Broughton but found Price in his way as time ran out.

With that chance went Lincoln's hopes of a fightback.

Overall, it was a pretty even contest except for the threat of Archer and cool head of penalty taker Foster.

The victory, and their part in it, may ultimately prove in vain for Long's men, but it certainly keeps hopes alive, especially if they were to back up the win with success over Sutton Coldfield on Easter Monday.

Tividale: Price, Parsons, Foster, Bellis, Huckfield (c), Paskin, Penney (Smith 90), Winwood, Archer (Edwards 89), Field, Ashton (Botfield 62).

Unused subs: Evans, Priest.

Lincoln United: Peet, Lemon, Gibson (Nichol 54), Cotton, Wright, Ward, Duncum, Toyne (c), Hutchinson, Ruthuen, Smith (Broughton 60).

Unused subs: Brookes, Wilkinson.