Littleton 4, Archdales 2

THREE goals in seven minutes late in the second half turned Midland Combination second division Saturday's game on its head and gave Littleton the victory they needed to maintain their chase for promotion.

On a bouncy pitch with a strong wind, ball control was difficult in what turned out to be a lively encounter.

Littleton almost took the lead on two minutes when Matthew Edwards fed Billy Hiden who, leaving his marker in his wake, bore down on the goal only for David Gray to make a good save.

The hosts went ahead on 15 minutes when Adam Twine fed Nick Burrows who kept his head and placed the ball past the advancing keeper.

The visitors should have equalised immediately but Mark Southard headed over from close-range.

From then up until half-time it became a battle between Gray and Littleton as he produce some superb saves.

He blocked a pile-driver from Mark Gledhill and then somehow kept out Simon Brain's follow-up. A deflected shot then seemed destined for the net but again he managed to keep it out.

At the start of the second half, Archdales came right back into the game and equalised on 50 minutes when a half-volley from 20 yards beat Adam Moss.

Another great save from Gray prevented a Littleton goal, with Robbie Harris the victim on this occasion.

Archdales took the lead 20 minutes from time when Phil Turpin turned quickly and drove home from 16 yards. Then came Littleton's golden patch.

Phil Haines slid in to convert a left-wing cross for 2-2 then Burrows scored his second from close-range before the final goal came from Brain who beat two men before finding the net from ten yards.