Step 5/6 round-up: A six-goal thriller and late strikes

The hosts made it five wins on the trot and they had to work hard to overcome Tividale after an initial fightback.

A scrappy start to the game saw both sides struggle to settle, but Brocton finally struck in the sixth minute when they pounced on a poor goal kick from Joe Williams, giving Morgan Payne a free run at goal to score from a tight angle.

Just five minutes later another Tividale mistake allowed Brocton to double their lead.

Reg Smith was alert to a short back pass and he comfortably finished beyond Williams to make it 2-0.

Tividale recovered and began to look more threatening and they got a goal back when Bradley Maslen-Jones had his free kick saved on to the cross bar by Brocton goalkeeper George Scott, but Matt Holland was on hand to smash in the rebound. 

Brocton had a penalty before half-time but Williams saved with his legs to deny Connor Haddaway.

Tividale manged to get an equaliser shortly after half-time as Shakeel Brown cleverly jinked his way into the box, drawing a foul from the recovering Ben Haddaway, and Maslen-Jones smashed the ball into the bottom right corner. 

A scrappy contest ensued but Brocton's substitutes changed the game and Christian Blanchette rounded the goalkeeper to slot them ahead again in the 76th minute, before Lucas Green-Birth added a fourth in the 85th minute to secure the three points.

Manager Alex Curtis said: “Five wins on the bounce, but we made hard work of it. We started well, went ahead and were a bit flat after the penalty miss. 

"Tividale came back into it, but having options off the bench gave us the edge. Pleased for Chris and Lucas with their goals and Reg, following his start. Adam (Weldon) did well when he came on against their good winger. It is pleasing as we get the squad back going into a busy period.”

Elsewhere in the league, AFC Wolverhampton City won 2-1 at Lye Town. They came from behind, following Alfie Didlock's goal, to net through Daniel Munday and Sean Williams.

Dudley Town were denied a win over Whitchurch Alport due to a late penalty.

Matthew Funge gave the hosts the lead in the 23rd minute but Alport were awarded a late spot-kick that Alex Hughes dispatched to earn the visitors a point, while Stourport Swifts lost 2-1 at 1874 Northwich.

In the Midland League Division One, Gornal Athletic beat Chelmsley Town 3-0, Cradley Town won 3-2 against Saffron Dynamo and Bilston Town were 2-1 victors at home to Lutterworth Athletic.

Wednesfield won 3-1 at Smethwick Rangers, while Birmingham OJM drew 2-2 at Ingles.

In the North West Counties League Division One South, Wolverhampton Casuals' home clash against Shawbury United was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Eccleshall, Stafford Town and Wolverhampton Sporting all did not have fixtures and will next play after Christmas.

Sporting and Casuals take each other on in a Wolverhampton derby on Boxing Day.

In the Hellenic League Division One, league leaders Bewdley Town drew 2-2 at Carterton.