In this clash of seventh versus third Darlaston came off on top to reduce the gap to just three points in their push for a play-off spot, with an emphatic four goal victory.

On an excellent playing surface, in front of a crowd of 168 at the sun drenched Paycare Stadium, the crowd were treated to an excellent game of football between two very good teams.

Stourport were without the influential Ben Jevons and Martin Slavin, whilst Darlaston were without Liam Wilkinson, Reece Mason and Kieron Miller, although recent signing Kieran Cook returning to the club following a spell at Coalville Town.

Centre forward Aaron Bishop was the destroyer in chief with a hat trick, taking his season's goal tally to 19.

Darlaston made a dream start taking the lead on 5 minutes, Bishop with an astute finish from close range, after slipping in between keeper Raaj Gill and Joe Hanson.

Goodluck Eke and Jamie Meddows impressed for the visitors whilst James Rowland and Jake Pearson were equally impressive for the home side. Darlaston were playing with plenty of confidence, Stourport keeper Gill confidently taking the ball high in the air on two occasions to thwart the home attack.

Eke forced a good save from keeper Tom Allsop, whilst at the other end a Ben Podmore header from a Rowland corner went wide.
An intriguing game was developing, both sides playing some excellent football, as the crowd basked in the sunshine for the first time in months.
Bishop was again on target on 20 minutes, Cook outmuscling his marker in the box and as the ball broke loose in the goal area, Bishop was first on hand to prod home from 6 yards for his 18th goal of the season.

Eke shot wide for Stourport whilst a Podmore header brought a superb one handed save from Gill. Jack Dowing and Harry Chesterton were superb in their defensive duties whilst making excellent attacking runs down both flanks.

For the visitors Jamie Meddows and top scorer Ben Tilbury looked dangerous but a strong and resolute home defence denied the visitors any clear chances on goal.

On 47 minutes a superb piece of defending by Stourport skipper Aaron Birch denied Darlaston a third. A Rowland corner was headed goalwards by Podmore but a magnificent goal line headed clearance by Birch kept the score line down.

Rivel Mardenborough forced a save from Gill before the home side added a third from the penalty spot on 56 minutes. Bishop pushed in the back by a defender whilst looking to shoot at goal at the back post. Rowland converted the spot kick for Darlaston's third goal.
Despite the scoreline, Stourport continued to play with confidence and in Eke, Tilbury and Meddows they had three excellent players, always looking to push forward in the hope of clawing their way back into the game. Unfortunately for the visitors Darlaston remained firm, Keeper Allsopp rarely called into action. In defence Birch and Matt Hanson were a tower of strength for Stourport who continued to play some neat, attractive, controlled football.

The home side though, were quite superb, playing some excellent football of their own, Pearson, Winwood and Rowland, superb in midfield whilst Mardenborough and Bishop looked a goal threat all afternoon.

The best goal of the game came on 73 minutes. Substitute Josh Jones made an excellent run down the right flank and not for the first time played a superb ball into the heart of the penalty area, the onrushing Bishop, beating his defender to drive home from ten yards.
Darlaston were indebted to keeper Allsopp and Downing who both made excellent goal line clearances from Tilbury to ensure Allsopp's 7th clean sheet in 16 appearances.

After the game manager Dean Gill reflected " Today is what non-league football at step 5 is all about. An excellent playing surface, glorious sunshine, two excellent sides playing good quality football in front of a good crowd. My players deservedly received well earned applause and plaudits as they left the field.

Make no mistake, Stourport are a very good side and will be in the push for a play-off spot come the end of the season. In Quentin (Townsend - manager) they have a top manager, who has played professional football, and knows the game inside out. I respect him a lot and he is very well respected in the game. They have won their last three games scoring three goals in each of those games, so we knew we had to be at or near our best today.

My players needed to be at it today and to a man they were. I am immensely proud of their individual performances today and the team performance was as good as we have been all season. Every player was an 8 out of 10 today with a couple were 9 out of 10. We have given ourselves a fighting chance of slipping into a play-off place, but we have a very difficult run in with 6 games in 12 days including, three games against teams in the top 5. If we play as well as we did today for the remaining games, then irrespective of results and where we finish in the league, I will be a very proud man."