GORNAL Athletic have fended off interest from promotion rivals Sporting Khalsa for club captain Ross Love.

The centre back was the target of an approach from former Peacocks boss Ian Rowe when Khalsa put in seven days' notice for the player last week.

However, the talismanic defender pledged his loyalties to Gornal to the delight of manager Andy Wyton.

"I'm really pleased he is staying with us," said the boss. "Ross is a very important player for us and probably the best defender in the league.

"You don't want to be losing players like him to your promotion rivals."

Gornal maintained their status as league leaders in the West Midlands Premier with a brilliant 3-1 victory against fifth-placed Ellesmere Rangers at Garden Walk last Saturday.

Goals from Grant Joshua, Liam Hickman and Dreniz Bala took their unbeaten league run to eight games to maintain the pressure on those around them.

It could prove a significant win especially as second-placed AFC Bridgnorth were due to take on third-placed Sporting Khalsa last night.

It is also believed that Khalsa may be fined and deducted three points for fielding an illegible player against the Peacocks in December.

Wyton added: "We were really good value for the win against Ellesmere. It was a great performance from the lads.

"Everyone is playing with a lot of confidence and is fully focused on maintaining our good run.

"We aren't interested in what the other teams do we will just worry about ourselves. We are there to be shot at but have stood up well to the task so far. Not many teams will take six points off Ellesmere this season."

Wyton is looking to sign Bewdley Town's goalscoring winger James Baldwin after putting in an approach for the wide man.

He wouldn't be able to sign in time for this Saturday's home game with Malvern but could be available for next Tuesday's Birmingham Challenge Cup quarter final match with Bolehall Swifts.

A further boost to the squad has seen midfielder Scott Devlin return from Studley.