Darlaston's rich vein of form continued with their fifth consecutive win in just 12 days scoring 18 goals and conceding none. Fellow play off hopefuls, Highgate United were the visitors to The Paycare Stadium, but the home side were too strong and ran out 4-0 winners to enhance their play-off hopes.

Ryan Winwood returned to the Darlaston starting line up, as the only change to the team that beat Lichfield City 5 days earlier.

The home side made an excellent start and could have gone ahead in the opening 10 minutes with two good chances. Firstly Aaron Bishop. sought to capitalise on some excellent work by strike partner Rivel Mardenborough, but despite threading his way past three defenders his close range effort was blocked by keeper Reece Francis aided by George Cleet. Minutes later, Bishop brought a superb finger tip save from Francis diving low to his left to keep Bishop’s effort out at the cost of a corner.

Darlaston's work rate was phenomenal, denying their opponents any time on the ball and winning most of the 50/50 challenges and winning the ball when they had no right to do so. Mardenborough, Bishop and Kieron Cook were lively and pacey as they gave the Highgate defenders a torrid time, ably supported by James Rowland who put some excellent crosses deep into the heart of the visitors defence but Darlaston simply could not add to their lead.

For their part, Highgate's lively front pairing of Tyler Haddow and Jake Collins impressed whilst Aaron Williams and Cleet, stood firm at the heart of the defence.

Darlaston's pressure was rewarded with a second goal on 35 minutes. Another James Rowland cross was superbly turned home by Mardenborough for the striker's 8th league goal of the season.

Home keeper Tom Allsopp made a good save following a rare mistake whilst Shay Palmer shot tamely from 18 yards.

The home side had much the better of the half, going into the break two goals to the good.

With nothing to lose Highgate opened the second half strongly, with a renewed appetite and vigour as they looked to get back into the game. Corey Currithers, Kartel O'Neil - Martin and Bassitt Manday came into the game more as they looked to break through a strong and resolute home defence. Keeper Allsopp saved well low to his right, but Highgate found it difficult to breach the home defence where Harry Chesterton, Josh Jones, Alex Foreshaw and Ben Podmore were well drilled, composed and organised.

Darlaston, again began to assert with their work rate and quality of play impressive and a delight to watch. Jake Pearson and Ryan Winwood excelled in midfield, with Bishop, Cook and Mardenborough a real handful up front.

On 77 minutes the contest was settled with a quite superb goal. Darlaston won the ball in midfield, Mardenborough made progress down the left flank before slipping in Chesterton on the overlap, the young defender cut inside the box before unleashing a devastating low drive into Francis's bottom left hand corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Darlaston added a fourth on 88 minutes substitute Kieran Miller outpacing two defenders to close in on goal, before shooting beyond the advancing Francis from 20 yards.

After the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill reflected " Credit to Highgate that was their third game in five days, and they gave it their all. They beat second placed Lichfield City two days earlier and they are in strong contention for a play-off spot. We knew we were in for a very tough game. Terry (Anderson - Highgate manager) is a top manager with an excellent squad and pedigree. They finished third last season and are still in the play-off hunt this season. That is a tremendous achievement and shows the quality and strength of his teams.

Turning to us. Once again, I thought we were superb tonight. We are in good form at the moment, every player putting in a great shift. Bish, Rivel, Cookie and Rowlo were very lively tonight, particularly first half, whilst Peo's work rate and energy is a joke, he is a machine. I couldn't be happier with how the team have played over the last five games. Every player through 1-11 was superb again tonight against an excellent Highgate side.

That said we are still not guaranteed a play-off spot so we must maintain our focus and work rate for our final two games against Whitchurch Alport on Saturday and Stone Old Alleynians next Tuesday. That means we will have played 7 games in 17 days, so rest over the next 24 hours is vital and then we have to do it all over again on Saturday."