Title-chasing Gornal Athletic ready to lock horns with rivals Knowle as both hit 100-goal milestone - round-up

The thrilling race for the Midland League Division One title could be set to reach its climax this week as joint-leaders Knowle and Gornal Athletic lock horns.

Both title-hunters lifted themselves on to 96 points with victory on Monday, but it was Gornal, second on goal difference, who made up ground over the Bank Holiday double-header.

Leaders Knowle dropped points for just the fifth time in 36 games this season with a draw on Saturday as Stuart How's chasers claimed maximum spoils. They meet for a mouthwatering clash at Gornal's Garden Walk on Thursday night (7.45pm).

Knowle's goal difference is stronger by seven and the Solihull side have two games in hand on Gornal. Knowle play four more fixtures in the 40-game season with two games left for Gornal, who must win on Thursday and hope for a favour elsewhere.

Incredibly, both sides made it exactly 100 goals for their stunning league campaigns with wins on Monday.

The Peacocks edged beyond visitors Birmingham OJM, who are four points outside the play-offs, in front of more than 200 fans at Garden Walk.

Taylor Homer steered home his 30th goal of the season midway through the second period to settle a tight affair.

Knowle won 3-0 at Smethwick Rangers.

Bilston Town snared the bragging rights over neighbours Cradley Town with a 2-1 away win to keep faint play-off hopes alive.

Goals from Haydn Hall and Harry Dixon clinched the derby win. Dave King's men are seven points outside of the top five with nine points to play for.

Lowly Wednesfield lost 1-0 at AFC Bridgnorth and face a battle to escape the drop. Wenny sit one place and two points adrift of safety.

Dudley Town and Brocton are chasing down a Premier Division play-off place, meanwhile, in the final week of the campaign.

Dudley, in sixth, are one place and point outside the top five. They boosted hopes with a lively 6-3 win over lowly Tividale at Noose Lane.

The damage was done in the first period with a 4-0 lead for Matty Lovatt's side, the highlight of which was Matt Funge's 30th goal of the season converted from inside his own half.

Jordan Davies and Ethan Davies each fired a brace with Luke Postle also on target. Tividale cannot be caught in the hunt against relegation.

Brocton, two points below, have a game in hand on Dudley but lost ground in a goalless draw at Coton Green. The Badgers face Winsford in Thursday's catch-up.

Fourth-placed AFC Wolverhampton City have a two point play-off buffer ahead of this weekend's final day following a late flurry against Romulus.

Wulfs trailed to the Birmingham visitors early but Freddie Cockerell equalised 12 minutes from time before Carlo Franco stuck a dramatic winner.

Elsewhere Stourport Swifts, who are clear of the drop, earned a 2-1 win at mid-table Lye. Stone Old Alleynians lost 2-1 at Uttoxeter.

Stafford Town face a wait to have their play-off place confirmed in North West Counties First Division South.

Town finished their campaign with a 1-1 draw in Stoke at Foley Meir. Ashville have a game in hand and trail by three points but have an inferior goal difference of eight.

Telford Town are six points behind with two games left but must make up a goal difference of 27. The season ends on April 18.

Eccleshall's play-off place of second is secured. They drew 0-0 at lowly Market Drayton. Wolverhampton Casuals are safe from the drop despite losing against New Mills on Saturday.