St Paul’s United took a big step towards the Division Three title in the Cheltenham League when they defeated long-time rivals AFC Renegades 2-0.

The leaders now hold a 10-point advantage over their closest rivals and although Renegades have played one game fewer, time is definitely running out for them as they only have five games to play.

It means they are almost certain to be involved in the end-of-season play-offs which have been introduced by the league this season for divisions two, three and four.

The three other teams almost certain to be part of the Division Three play-offs are FC Barometrics 3rds, Charlton Rovers Reserves and Brockworth Albion Reserves who occupy the next three positions below Renegades.

Those three teams drew 0-0 with Leckhampton Rovers, defeated Cheltenham United 6-1 and drew 4-4 with Cheltenham Civil Service 3rds respectively.

In the only other game in the division Dowty Dynamos Reserves defeated Kings Reserves 1-0.

In the top division, Cheltenham Civil Service, who clinched the title before the end of February, slumped to only their second defeat in the league this season, going down 2-0 to third-placed Andoversford, who are one of four clubs entertaining realistic hopes of finishing the season as runners-up.

Second-placed Tewkesbury Town, level on points with Andoversford but having played two games more, defeated Kings 2-0 but fifth-placed Bishop’s Cleeve 3rds lost ground when they went down 4-1 at Shurdington Rovers.

It wasn’t a good day for Cheltenham Civil Service’s two senior sides because the club’s reserves also came a cropper, losing 1-0 at Gala Wilton Reserves in Division Two.

And while that was happening, The Beeches were winning by the odd goal in five at Bredon Reserves to go three points clear at the top although Service have played one game fewer.

Service, who have four games still to play, also have the slightly better goal difference.

Fifth-placed Fintan improved their promotion play-off hopes with a 2-0 win over Southside Star, the team immediately above them, while the team immediately below them, FC Barometrics Reserves, are still very much in the hunt for the play-offs after a 5-0 win over Tewkesbury Town Reserves.

In Division Four, Prestbury Rovers Reserves moved to within a point of leaders Malvern Vale FC Academy with a 2-1 win at home to Smiths Athletic Reserves.

But Gala Wilton 3rds’ hopes of making it into the play-offs are almost certainly over after their 4-2 defeat at home to Welland Reserves.

Bottom club Charlton Rovers Reserves, meanwhile, clinched only their second win of the league campaign when they beat Winchcombe Town Reserves 3-2.

Cheltenham League results secretary Ben Hill has confirmed that the play-off semi-finals will take place on Saturday 28th April with the finals taking a place a week later on 5th May.

The format will see the second-placed team in each of the three divisions hosting the fifth-placed side with the third-placed side entertaining the fourth-placed teams in the other ties.

All games will go straight to penalties if level at full-time.