Poole 1, Stourbridge 2

STOURBRIDGE boosted their chances of a top five finish by beating promotion rivals Poole last night.

Two second half goals from Luke Benbow and Sean Geddes, who netted from the penalty spot, gave the Glassboys a hard-earned victory.

After a first half in which Poole were slightly the better side, despite their being very few noteworthy chances at either end, Stourbridge upped their game after the break and forged ahead on the hour mark when Benbow latched onto a knock-down from Kayleden Brown and beat the advancing Dan Thomas from the edge of the penalty area.

The lead was brief, however, as a rasping 25-yard shot from Steve Devlin just two minutes later brought Poole level.

The decisive moment of the game arrived after 74 minutes when Benbow was upended somewhat needlessly in the penalty area. Geddes calmly sent Thomas the wrong way.

Poole exerted some late pressure but the Glassboys' back line held firm to ensure all three points.

The win lifts Stourbridge back up to 4th spot in the Premier Division table, a point ahead of Cambridge who have two games in hand. Poole are now seven points adrift but still have four games in hand.

Stourbridge have no fixture tomorrow and will next be in action at home to AFC Totton on Saturday, April 12 (3pm ko).