LIVELY Lye Town climbed up to second place in the Midland League Premier Division after pulling off an impressive 3-1 win at Walsall Wood.

Much travelled striker Mark Danks marked his return to Lye's ranks with the opening goal before Wood responded with a wonder strike from Harry Harris that gave goalkeeper Dean Coleman little chance.

James Spray restored Lye's lead after being set-up by Ben Billingham, who then scored the third himself after waltzing around two Wood defenders before finishing off with a thunderbolt shot.

Lye joint boss Martin Thomas insisted: "Ben's shot was hit with such force that I'm sure it would have broken goalkeeper Sam Arnold's wrists had he got his hands to it."

Thomas added: "To be honest, 3-1 flattered Walsall Wood. To be fair, their equaliser was a great goal, but had we won by four or five, it would have been a much fairer reflection of play."

Lye Town travel to Shropshire side Shawbury United this Saturday and wait to see whether central defender Luke Paskin will be able to play following his release from top of the table side Alvechurch.

With James Spray already arriving back at Lye from Alvechurch, the Stourbridge Road side must wait 28 days before they can serve another seven days notice on the same club.

Thomas revealed: "The 28 days are almost up, but it's a question of whether Alvechurch will waive the seven days. I can understand if they don't because we are one of their rivals for the title.

Sam Mills should be back available after his 21st birthday exhertions along with Jack Pearlman, while goalkeeper Jake Bedford is expected be back in contention after a dose of food poisoning, which will present Thomas and joint boss Darren Goodall with a few selection posers.