STUDLEY took a major step towards the Midland Combination title with a hard-earned 1-0 win over leaders Nuneaton Griffs.

The Bees had seen Nuneaton overhaul them at the top with a 1-0 win over Feckenham last week but cometh the hour, cometh the team, and BKL rose to the occasion with a gritty performance which put them back on top after a Steven Hands goal.

And for the first time in months, Studley do not have to worry about their rivals holding games in hand. With one point between the title hopefuls, the task is simple; four wins from their last six matches will earn promotion and six will bring the title.

But Bees boss Mark Chambers refused to get carried away.

"We're in a better position than I could have hoped for at the start of the season.

"At this stage of the season we are overjoyed but there is still a lot of work to do. First and foremost we want to earn promotion - then we'll start worrying about the title."

Second will be good enough to earn Alliance status next season and Meir, with six games in hand, and Romulus, with four, are the only threats to Studley.

Meir can come within nine points of the Bees by winning their games in hand and Romulus seven, but the Bees are firmly in the driving seat and face a six match run-in with sixth placed Meir and Bolehall, in ninth, their only top ten opponents.

The title tilt continues at Bolehall on Saturday (ko 2.45pm) and Chambers warned against complacency.

"Bolehall are a tough physical side and that is a match we highlighted as a tough fixture some time ago," he said.

But striker Jamie Bayley, whose season was cruelly ended by a snapped cruciate knee ligament last week, is the only absentee.

Bayley was set to see a specialist yesterday (Tuesday) to confirm the extent of the damage and could be sidelined for up to a year.

Midfielder Brett Fleetwood is pressing for a recall along with fit-again striker Andy Grubb.

And keeper Keith Beasley, missing on Saturday through work commitments, could find himself in the cold after an assured performance from deputy Duncan Turk.

Beasley could also miss out on a cup final after Studley were restored to the Worcestershire Senior Urn because semi final conquerors Kidderminster Harriers Reserves had fielded ineligible players.

The Bees take on Banks's Premier outfit Malvern Town in the final at Worcester City's St George's Lane home on Monday (ko 7.30pm).

Chambers is hoping for another bumper turnout after praising the crowd who cheered on his side at the weekend.

"The crowd was fantastic and their support helped us keep on to the end," he said. "There are six games to go and three of them at home so hopefully we can keep them coming back."

The club are hoping to rearrange Tuesday's trip to relegation battlers Southam (ko 7.30pm) because of the cup final.