Stonehouse Town remain on the coat tails of the top two in the County League after a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Ruardean Hill Rangers.

They trail leaders Lebeq United by 15 points and second-placed Frampton United by seven points but have four games in hand on Lebeq and have played three fewer than Frampton.

Stonehouse started the day four points ahead of fifth-placed Ruardean so it was an important win although they had to wait until the 85th minute before getting their noses in front.

The visitors defended well throughout but never really tested home keeper Will Pedrick while Aaron Underwood in the Rangers goal saw plenty of action.

Liam Wright tested Underwood after three minutes with a low shot to the near post which the keeper had to get down to save.

Then a few minutes later Stonehouse had the ball in the back of the Rangers net only to have it ruled out for offside.

On 16 minutes right full-back Rob Humphries saw his shot deflected away from the goal as the home side looked to break the deadlock.

Rangers held firm until the break however and started the second half well, drawing Pedrick from his goal line before sending the ball back to the edge of the box for Shaun Tingle to strike at goal, but his effort was blocked by a defender.

The home side had a great chance to take the lead on 51 minutes from a throw in on the left, which was knocked into the Rangers box and Luke Soule’s diving header went just past the far post.

Just a minute later Luke Johnson had Rangers’ best chance, but he shot straight into Pedrick’s arms. On 63 minutes a long ball up to Liam Gale saw Underwood quick off his line to collect the ball.

Tim Williams was introduced by the home side and on 75 minutes he fired a great shot at goal from the edge of the box which went just past the post.

On 81 minutes the referee awarded the home side a penalty but Alex Kibble’s tame spot-kick was well read by Underwood who dived to his left to save.

Four minutes later the deadlock was broken as Liam Gale fired the ball past Underwood from a tight angle on the right.

Gala Wilton’s difficulties at the wrong end of the table continue as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Hardwicke.

It may have been different if they had been awarded what they thought should have been a penalty when the game was still goalless in the 21st minute.

A few minutes later Hardwicke went close to breaking the deadlock when Richard Mansell sent over a great cross from the right that found the head of Will Matthews, but he directed his effort over the bar.

Hardwicke were ahead six minutes before the break however when a floated free-kick found Kieran Squires who rose to head home.

Gala’s Jason Littleton might have levelled early in the second half, but his shot was well saved by the Hardwicke keeper, while Marc Edwards sent Squires racing down the flank but his low cross into the six-yard box evaded everyone.

Hardwicke made it 2-0 on 73 minutes and again it was from a free-kick with Squires in the right place to head home his second of the afternoon.

Other results: Hanham Ath v Frampton Utd, post; Little Stoke 3 Broadwell Ams 1; Patchway T 0 Lebeq Utd 2; Rockleaze R 1 Southmead CS Ath 0; Wick v Henbury, post.