Stourbridge 3, Skelmersdale United 1

STOURBRIDGE edged themselves a little closer to the play-off places as goals from Karl Hawley, Matt Dodd and Dan Scarr handed them victory over Skelmersdale.

The Glassboys had to play most of the second half with ten men following Dodd's straight red for a late tackle, but the hosts were always doing enough to come out on top from a scrappy encounter at Amblecote today.

It was the hosts at started the contest on the front foot as United sat back early on looking to keep things tight.

The first real chance fell to forward Justin Richards on nine minutes but he could only drag Dodd's cross past the far past from six yards out.

Chris Lait then drove past the post on 15 minutes before the lively Dodd called Skelmersdale keeper Martin Fearon into action on 21 minutes.

However, despite Stour's early pressure it would be the visitors that would open the scoring.

Their ploy to sit back and try to break with purpose worked out on 26 minutes when Kenny Strickland lofted a ball over the top for forward Max Hazeldine, who then lobbed Charlie Price to break the deadlock.

Stour, however, showed good character to come back soon after.

A quick-fire double made sure they went in at the break with a lead.

First Karl Hawley curled in a sublime effort on 34 minutes before Dodd poked home after it fell kindly for him after Hawley's shot was blocked two minutes later.

Price saved with his legs from Hazeldine just before the interval as the visitors carved out one more opportunity.

The second half proved a flat affair as neither side really got going for large spells.

The home side's task to take the points was made a little harder when winger Dodd saw red for a late lunge on Strickland on 56 minutes.

But, in truth, Stour were quite comfortable with ten men as they started to get their passing game going.

They finally got the all-important two-goal cushion on 62 minutes when Scarr rose highest to head home Leon Broadhurst's free kick via the underside of the bar.

From then on the contest became a scrappy affair as Stour sat contentedly on their lead with Dale posing few threats going forwards.

Though they made it difficult at times, notably going behind once more and then being reduced to ten men, the Glassboys ultimately got the job done to back up Tuesday's fine win at Salford.

Stourbridge: Price, Green, Scarr, Geddes (Whittall 87) Smikle, Pierpoint (c), Dodd, Broadhurst, Hawley, Richards (Vincent 45), Lait (Billingham 53).

Unused Subs: Wright, Clarke.

Skelmersdale: Fearon, Fernandez, Corrigan, McIntosh (c), Murphy, Booth, Marie (Gaskell 45), Stickland (Donaldson 80) Hazeldine (Kusaloka 80), Duffus, Almond.

Unused Subs: Kinsella, Heron.

Att: 458