Evo-Stik League: Stocksbridge slip to second successive defeat as Sheffield win 5-0

Steels, though, will be kicking themselves after fighting back from 2-0 down to draw level - where they looked the more likely winners until gifting the visitors all-three points.

Rushden were in front on 16 minutes when Nabil Sharrif netted from the penalty spot, despite ‘keeper David Reay getting a hand to the spot kick.

Stocksbridge did have the ball in the net on 38 minutes but it was wrongly ruled out for offside, and Steels were hit by sucker punch right at the start of the second half, after some sloppy defending allowed Lewis Wilson to head in from close range at the back post.

Stocksbridge were back in the game on 49 minutes when Harrison Biggins converted a penalty awarded for handball.

Ruthven then sent a good chance over the bar from a Josh Meade cross before Steels drew level on 76 minutes. Lumsden turning smartly in the area to fire into the far corner.

It seemed the home side would go on and win from there but disaster struck on 86 minutes. The visitors won a corner and David Reay spilled leaving Nabil with a simple tap in.

Elsewhere, Sheffield FC coasted to a 5-0 win at Market Drayton Town to make it seven points from nine on the road over the past eight days.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Club in their away form, after failing to pick up a single point from the first five away games.

The points were never in doubt once Club had gone 3-0 up inside the opening half hour. Connor Hall opened the scoring on 12 minutes with a piece of clinical finishing, and Sheffield finally doubled the lead on 25 minutes through Matt Roney.

Three minutes later Hall grabbed his second, and the inevitable fourth arrived on 73 minutes when Alec Denton finally got on the scoresheet.

It should have been six in the last minute when Club were awarded a penalty but Denton skied his spot kick over the crossbar.

Shaw Lane AFC opened up a three point gap at the top of Division One South after easing to a 5-0 home win against bottom of the table Rugby Town.

In the Premier Division, Frickley Athletic were beaten 4-1 at home by Nantwich Town after Luke Hinsley had given the Blues a 28th minute lead.

Matlock Town lost 1-0 at leaders Whitby Town to a goal midway through the second half.

Fixtures, tomorrow: Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Second Round: Shaw Lane AFC v Maltby Main, Stocksbridge Park Steels v Frickley Athletic.

Premier Division: Matlock Town v Grantham Town

Division One South: Gresley FC v Sheffield FC