Non-league preview: Shifnal Town and Whitchurch Alport chasing the leaders

Fourth-placed Town face Dudley Town next in the Midland League Premier Division, after consecutive wins against Romulus and Uttoxeter Town left the club seven points off the top with a game in hand.

Phillips had a goal ruled offside on his debut against Uttoxeter but bounced back with a goal and assist against Romulus midweek.

Manager Connor Patterson said: "He's really, really impressed me.

“He's ticking all the boxes. He played Saturday, he had a goal ruled offside. Where I'd imagine a lot of people who’ve seen the video on social media see it was nowhere near offside.”

Dudley travel to Shropshire off the back of their first league win in nine, their previous coming in their home game against Shifnal.

Patterson said: “They've already beaten us once this season, 1-0 at their place, so we owe them one as well, you know?

“They were happy with their win at their place. We look bounce back from it and we look to go and beat them this time round.

“The lads have got a lot of positives to take out the recent games, so you know we're going in there on a high spirit, a lot of buzz in the changing room.”

Shifnal have climbed from 12th in mid-October to third after a historic FA Cup run left them with a congested fixture list and plenty of games in hand.

The win against rock-bottom Uttoxeter left the Reds lingering just outside the play-offs, while beating Romulus saw them climb into fourth.

On Uttoxeter, Patterson said: “I wouldn't say they're the worst team I've played in the league. They gave everything they've got, but we created a lot of chances.

“Our struggle, as of late, has been that ruthless side, just putting it in the net. We controlled the games in spells, we let them come into the game at certain points, but we managed it well.”

 Ahead of Shifnal, third-placed Whitchurch Alport travel to leaders Lichfield City. A win would pull an out-of-form Lichfield side to within at least four points of the chasing pack.

The table-toppers have only earned two points from their last three games, while Alport have won their last four with a perfect defensive record.

In Division One, AFC Bridgnorth will look to build on their winning streak against Leicester St Andrews.

Victory at the weekend against Chelmsley lifted the Meadow Men out of the relegation zone as they made it five wins from five, however Leicester will offer a different challenge as they sit fourth in the table. 

A win for Allscott Heath could see them moving five points clear of the drop zone as they travel to 16th-placed Wolves Sporting in North West Counties Division One South.

Ludlow Town host Stonehouse Town in a Hellenic League Division One mid-table clash, while Telford Town look to extend their lead in the West Midlands Premier Division against winless Dudley Sports.