ALVECHURCH are back in the driving seat in the ICIS Combination title race after a traumatic week.

A fortnight ago Church's title dreams were in tatters after what looked like a fatal defeat to leaders Leamington.

But the crazy, topsy-turvy title race claimed another victim when the Brakes bottled it with a shock 0-0 draw at lowly Alveston followed by a 1-1 draw at championship kingmakers Rugby.

Two draws for Leamington meant Andy Hibbert's Churchmen started last night's trip to Rugby six points behind the leaders with two games in hand and a resolute 1-0 win has seen the pendulum swing back towards Lye Meadow.

And there was even more good news with Leamington's wobble continuing with a shock 3-2 defeat against a West Midlands Police team they walloped 5-1 only a week earlier.

With a comfortably superior goal difference Church can now afford to draw one of their final four fixtures to keep Leamington and late contenders Coventry Marconi at bay.

But it could all have been over regardless of results if the Lye Meadow side had been punished by the league for the postponement of the planned visit of Pershore at the weekend.

An army of volunteers are working against the clock to get the village ground up to Midland Alliance standards in time for an inspection on Wednesday, April 30.

The work includes installing a new turnstile and seats and, crucially, enlarging the showers and changing rooms.

It was work on those facilities which meant Church were unable to offer the visitors changing rooms or hot water so the Worcestershire side decided not to travel.

Comination secretary Norman Harvey mediated between the two parties and Alvechurch have agreed to sacrifice home advantage and play the match next Tuesday (ko 7.45pm), but Harvey confirmed the title hopefuls could have suffered a far heavier punishment.

Church resume their title charge at home to Nuneaton Griffs on Saturday (ko 2.45pm) before their trip to Pershore.

They finish with home games against Rugby and Cheslyn Hay and know their fate is in their hands.

Captain Paul Smith is unavailable on Saturday and fellow defender Antony Sutton is doubtful with a rib injury.