Bishop in heaven after another hat-trick

Chances were limited for both sides until Town's Joe Evans made the breakthrough, when he spotted the goalkeeper out of position and hooked the ball into the net.

Positive play from wingers Ishtaque Rashid and Harry Kerr ensured that Town remained on the front foot going into the break.

A stirring half-time team talk by manager Nick Maguire saw the team start the second half positively.

The all-important next goal came courtesy of in-form striker Bishop, who coolly converted when through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Town were now dominating and the home team's hopes of getting back in the game were dashed, when midfield dynamo Paul Bache drove into the box and smashed the ball into the net.

The next goal soon arrived when Bishop was in the right place at the right time to tap in a simple finish.

With the latest in a long line of hat-tricks in sight, Bishop was hungry for his third and it arrived after excellent wing play from Rashid.

Town are just behind Allscott in the table on goal difference and they cut the gap on the leaders after Allscott suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at Wroxeter Rovers.

The visitors had arrived on the back of an unblemished six-match winning streak but they were promptly handed their first defeat of the season, albeit by a narrow margin.

Prees were 2-0 winners at home to Hodnet, while Rock Rovers drew 1-1 at Broseley and Church Stretton lost 2-1 at home to Wrockwardine Wood.

Basement side Shifnal United claimed their first victory of the campaign, a 3-0 triumph at Childs Ercall, while AFC Bridgnorth were in prolific mood as they beat Oakengates Athletic 5-1.

Tyler Sands-Fawkes. Tom Grainger, Liam Armstrong (two) and Adam Bealey all found the target for the winners, who netted four times in a dominant second-half display.

Bishops Castle Town survived a late scare in Division One to emerge with the points in a nine-goal thriller at Brown Clee.

They had been 5-1 up with 10 minutes to go thanks to Mark Griffiths' hat-trick and further goals from Alex Jones and Jack Mellor

But the hosts then found three late goals to leave the visitors hanging on nervously in the end.

Leaders Clee Hill United made it four wins out of four games with a 3-0 home success against Highley Miners Welfare.

AFC Wellington, who are second on goal difference, defeated Gobowen Celtic 2-1 away. Stoke Heath enjoyed the biggest win of the day, winning 6-0 at Spalaig Britannia 6-0.

Oakengates Rangers were 5-2 winners at Wrockwardine Wood Reserves.

Madeley Sports Reserves remain unbeaten at the Division Two summit after a 2-0 win at Riverside while Randlay Casuals, second, won 4-3 at St Martins Reserves.

Coven United beat Albrighton Juniors 3-0 away while Claverley won 2-1 at home to Whitchurch Alport Reserves.

Newly-formed Craven Arms Town hammered Oswestry Town Reserves 6-1 and Denso were beaten 5-1 at home to AFC Broseley Reserves.