Ryan Beswick's late penalty secures Solihull Moors' first home three points

Oct 26 2009 by Nick Pullen, Birmingham Mail

SOLIHULL Moors celebrated their first home league success of the season after pulling off a slender 1-0 win over next-to-bottom Harrogate Town.

The result lifts Moors to the giddy heights of 13th place in Conference North and three points clear of the drop zone.

But they left it until the 89th minute to seal the points when Ryan Beswick, their recent signing from Kettering, converted from the penalty spot after dangerman James McPike had been brought down by Harrogate goalkeeper David Jameson.

The visitors had threatened on numerous occasions, forcing Moors to make two goal-line clearances, while goalkeeper Danny Crane had to produce a fingertip save to keep out former Leicester City striker Trevor Benjamin.

Up-for-sale Bromsgrove Rovers were beaten 1-0 by Hitchin Town in the Southern Midland Division.

The result rested on a goalkeeping error by Karl Lewis, who allowed Dean Gilbert’s clearance to bounce over his head enabling Jamie Arlick to convert. Lewis made amends with a series of fine saves to prevent Hitchin increasing their advantage.

Romulus also crashed to a 1-0 reverse against AFC Sudbury at Coles Lane.

The game was settled by Gareth Heath’s late first-half penalty after Nick Heath had brought down Craig Hughes.

Romulus tried to repair the damage but failed to find a way through before having striker Tyrone Fagan sent off in the closing stages.

Sutton Coldfield Town secured their second success of the season with a thrilling 4-2 win at Marlow to climb clear of the Southern Midland relegation zone.

Twice Marlow hit back to level following goals from recent signing Richard Ball and a Craig Marshall penalty.

Marshall’s second goal restored the Royals’ advantage before Craig Owen put the issue beyond doubt with ten minutes remaining.

Rushall Olympic surrendered top spot in Unibond One South after a 2-2 draw at Brigg Town.

The Pics recovered from going a goal behind when Tim Jackson and Curtis Braithwaite converted in the second half.

Victory was snatched from their grasp when Matt Godden smashed in a 25-yard special.

Chasetown had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Loughborough Dynamo while Willenhall Town remain rooted to the bottom after conceding a late Lee Potts goal to lose 1-0 at home to Grantham Town.