NEEDHAM MOVE UP TO 4TH

A decisive first half Keiran Morphew header moved Needham Market up to fourth with a crucial 1-0 win at Stourbridge on Wednesday night.

Seth Chambers started in place of the injured Luke Ingram from Saturday's 2-1 win over Barwell, as the Marketmen picked up a fourth straight win.

In a game of little chances at either end, a 35th minute header from the Needham skipper was ultimately enough to take Needham two points ahead of Kettering Town - who sit fifth - and three points ahead of sixth placed Halesowen Town, that sit just outside the play-offs.

James Bradbrook (4') was down smartly to his left-hand side to deny the hosts' for a corner, while Joe Neal (5') was fed through onto the left-hand side whose close range strike was deflected behind for a corner.

A great chance for Needham fell to Tommy Smith (8'), in space on the left-hand side after a partially cleared good cross just evaded Neal, but the defender's close range shot was blocked.

Myles Cowling (12') weaved cleverly into space on the left-hand edge of the box, only to see his fierce low strike blocked, before Ben Hunter's low strike from the right-hand edge of the box was cleared away.

Jake Dye (18') went agonisingly close, latching onto the loose ball outside the area before thundering a great half-volley just wide of the top left-hand corner.

An excellent stop from Bradbrook (20') thwarted Lewis one on one, narrowing the angle smartly to smother the shot away, ahead of Pavey (28') heading narrowly wide.

Skipper Keiran Morphew (35') bullet headed Needham importantly in front, after a great run from Cowling earned a corner, Kyle Hammond's pinpoint right wing set-piece was met by the charging defender at point blank range.

A crucial deflection (43') turned Pavey's low shot from the left-hand side just wide of the bottom far corner for a corner, prior to Seth Chambers drawing a big save from goalkeeper Charlie Price (45').

The striker was fed through sharply down the left-hand side, although his good strike at goal was beaten away well by the stopper, as Cowling held up possession well in the box from the rebound but saw his lay off intercepted.

Tommy Smith's brilliant right wing cross (45'+1') picked out Neal at the far post, albeit his header was saved.

Smith jinked into space well on the left-hand edge of the box (45'+2'), drawing a reckless foul just outside the area that prompted a yellow card for Reeves.

After the break, Bradbrook (49') sternly parried away Solanke's ferocious strike from distance.

Very much a game of two halves, although Needham stood firm defensively, Batchelor (71') glanced a free-kick narrowly wide, Needham saw a shot held by Price soon after.

Hammond (90') saw a thunderous free-kick tipped over from 25-yards out, as Bood (92') was shown a straight red card for a bad challenge on Cowling.

Needham travel to Quorn for their final league away trip of the campaign (3pm).