HALESOWEN Town’s fighting spirit could prove the key to title success, says chairman Colin Brookes.

The Yeltz’s campaign now reaches a crucial period with just two games to go.

Hard-fought back-to-back wins have kept them firmly in the title race ahead of this Saturday’s away trip to take on Carlton Town.

A late Tom Tonks strike gave them a 1-0 win at The Grove against Loughborough last Saturday before they battled to beat Sheffield 3-2 away from home on Tuesday night.

Halesowen took the lead against Sheffield after 18 minutes as a low through ball from Neil Mackenzie went straight to Ben Haseley who rounded keeper Rob Poulter.

The Yeltz dominated the first half as Haseley smashed the ball over from six yards and Griffiths’ attempt to poke the ball under the keeper didn’t work. The Yeltz went in at half time with a goal advantage, but the second half was a completely different affair.

After five minutes of play, Sheffield equalised as Andy Gascoigne chipped the ball over keeper Matt Sargeant for Mark Faraway to put the ball away.

Sheffield fought to keep The Yeltz out, but on 67 minutes they took the lead again as a great ball from Iyseden Christen went to Ben Haseley who weaved past two Sheffield defenders and slotted the ball past a helpless Rob Poulter to regain the lead.

That lasted all but six minutes as Sheffield’s Ben Turner hit a cross into the box that Brendan Kelly was unable to get away and inadvertently poked into his own net to put Sheffield back into the game.

However, Hales took the lead once again as Tom Tonks’ cross flew into the box and Curtis Tilt saved the day as his bullet header with 10 minutes left.

Halesowen’s chances of Northern Premier League Division One South glory will become much clearer this weekend as second-placed Coalville go head-to-head with third-placed Leek.

Brookes said: “We have had to dig deep in recent games but we are a resilient team and have battled very well to get the wins that we need. That is something that all good teams are able to do. That ability could prove the difference.

“We now need to focus on taking it to the last game of the season.”