Gornal and Bilston take another step towards Wembley in the FA Vase

Gornal Athletic and Bilston Town kept their Wembley dreams alive with victories in the second round of the FA Vase.

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Traevay Wright bagged a brace and Taylor Homer got the other as Gornal saw off higher-league Atherstone Town 3-0, while Bilston overcame a one-division gap to stun Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division leaders Winslow United.

All the goals came in the second half - three of them penalties, with Bilston's Luke Carter keeping his cool to convert from the spot in the 90th minute.

After Winslow twice took the lead, Tarique Hunter and Haydn Hall levelled on each occasion, before Carter sent the travellers into raptures.

The third round will take place on the weekend of Saturday, December 6, with Gornal yesterday drawn at home to Grantham Town and Bilston set to travel again - this time to Northampton ON Chenecks.

Both sides are again one level higher up the pyramid than Midland League Division One sides Gornal and Bilston - with Grantham going well in the United Counties League Premier Division North and Chenecks, of United Counties Premier South, having knocked out 2022 FA Vase winners Newport Pagnell Town on Saturday.

However, the FA Vase adventure is over for Dudley Town after they went down 1-0 at Sherwood Colliery.

In the Midland League Premier Division, Brocton recorded their third consecutive victory to climb to eighth in the table.

Dylan Millington bagged the fourth-minute winner, but was later sent off as the Badgers held on with 10 men for the final 20 minutes at second-bottom Highgate United.

Lye Town are another side moving in the right direction by winning three league games in a row.

They eased to a 4-0 triumph over Stone Old Alleynians, who slipped to third from bottom - just two points off the foot of the table.

Callum McKenna, Luke Sidaway, Elliott Ball and Ethan Moran were all on target for the Flyers, who seem to have found their feet following relegation from step four last season.

Stourport Swifts climbed above Stone with a 2-2 draw against bottom side Uttoxeter Town thanks to goals from Kai Adams and Joe Phillips.

In Midland League Division One, Wednesfield climbed to fourth from bottom with a goalless draw at home to Nuneaton Griff, while Cradley Town are only one off the bottom after a 5-0 defeat at Leicester St Andrews.

It was a better day for mid-table Smethwick Rangers, who climbed above opponents Saffron Dynamo with a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Lucas Edwards, Red Simmons and Rahiem Faulder.

Action from Wolverhampton Casuals' 3-0 victory over Haughmond at Brinsford Stadium in North West Counties League Division One South on Saturday afternoon (Pictures: Tim Thursfield)
Action from Wolverhampton Casuals' 3-0 victory over Haughmond at Brinsford Stadium in North West Counties League Division One South on Saturday afternoon (Pictures: Tim Thursfield)

Zak Poskitt bagged a second-half double to lift Wolverhampton Casuals out of the North West Counties League Division One South relegation zone with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over second-bottom Haughmond at Brinsford Stadium. Lee Chilton wrapped up the result 14 minutes from time.

Rock-bottom Wolves Sporting secured a surprise point at Telford Town, but it could have been so much more after taking the lead twice through Kyle Hayden and Festus Care, with Joe Care netting Telford's second leveller in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

There was also late drama at second-placed Eccleshall as Ben Marshall grabbed their winner in the 100th minute against Ashville.

Hellenic League Division One leaders Bewdley Town dropped two points at home in their chase for the title.

Samuel Austin gave Bewdley a 15th-minute lead, but play-off-chasing Stonehouse Town hit back to level after the interval.