Report by Andy Thorley

Dudley Town edged out neighbours Dudley Sports in a hard fought derby match at the weekend.

The Robins took the points after a Wayne Lawley header won the game and victorious manager Mark Kavanagh felt his team deserved the points.

He said: "It was a proper derby game, both teams worked hard and it was close. We had to contend with a slope and the wind in the first half but the goal that won it was a really excellent finish from Wayne and deserved to be the winner."

Town had to play the last twenty minutes with 10 men after Harpric Singh was given a second yellow card for diving and Kavanagh had few arguments with the decision. "He was caught, but he made a meal of it. The fact that the rest of the lads had to battle a man short for the rest of the game made the win even better."

This weekend Town travel to Shawbury United now managed by former Market Drayton boss Delwyn Humphries and Kavanagh was clear about the importance of the match. "It's vital that we get the points, " he says. "Shawbury have done really well recently since Delwyn went there and he will make sure that everyone knows their jobs but I am certain that we can get in the top three and that is our aim now."

Skipper Ross Brown made his long-awaited return from injury in the derby game before being withdrawn after suffering what the manager termed "soreness in the ankle" and remains the only injury doubt ahead of the Saturday's crunch clash.

Meanwhile Sports joint manager Paul Blakeley feels his side are close being promotion challengers but admits they need to find a little extra quality to defeat the top sides.

Sports were beaten 1-0 by Tividale a fortnight ago and were again defeated by a single goal against the high-flying Robins. Blakeley, however, refused to criticise his hard working players.

He said: "They tried as hard as they could and I cannot praise them enough for their efforts. But we just need to add that extra something that can put us up there with the Dudley Town's and Tividale's. I have no complaints with the result.

The Sports joint boss was quick to point out that it was not necessarily results that matter at this stage of the clubs' development - arguing that the ground work has been laid for a much brighter future.

"It's not an overnight thing, we knew that when we started, but we are going in the right direction and that is all we can ask. Players are saying to me that they feel fitter than ever and everyone is enjoying the training. All the plans are being put in place and In the summer we want to add to what we have and really push on."

On Saturday Sports take on Bustleholme at home (kick off 3pm). Despite their lowly league position the Bilston based side have picked up some notable scalps recently and Blakeley says it will be a competitive fixture. "Everyone in this league plays hard, it does not matter whether you are playing sides at the bottom or the top. It will be a difficult game."