MIDFIELD meastros Mick Dale and Steve Brown put on their shooting boots on Saturday to earn title challengers Alsager a vital 2-0 win.

Dale scored on the half hour of Alsager's home clash against mid-table Brocton, with team-mate Brown sealing victory 20 minutes from time.

The win lifted Alsager one place to fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Eccleshall but with a massive eight games in hand.

Alsager took the lead when the ball came out to Dale 20 yards from goal, and he drilled it home, with the Brocton keeper left standing after appearing to be unsighted.

The home side went two up in the 70th minute when Steve Faint crossed for Brown to score with a superb diving header from 14 yards out.

The game also saw an appearance in goal for Alsager for reserve team keeper Chris Whalley, with first choice keeper Jon Paul Riley out through work commitments.

''Steve Brown's goal was an absolute cracker, and Chris Whalley did a solid job in goal for us,'' said Alsager boss Steve Booth.

''It was a good all round performance, and the title race is in our hands with so many games in hand.

''The main thing I am worried about is picking up injuries, as from next month we will have three games a week to the end of the season.''

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.