CLAREGATE Park Rangers retained a firm interest in this season's Redbox Signmakers Beacon Championship with another crucial victory on their travels this week.

Gary Cooper's charges had not experienced the best of luck on the league and domestic cup scene either side of the festive break, yet they dug deep to pull off a hard fought 2-1 triumph at Coseley based Beacon Lions, writes Dave McLean.

It was a win that sees the Park move second in the table, three points down on leaders and reigning champions Dynamo Dudley, and with two vital games in hand.

Kane Lewis and Dan Burns fired Claregate 2-0 up by the interval, before Adam Sheldon was successful from the spot kick in the second period for battling Beacon On the Wilkes Tranter Chell Cup front, Lower Gornal based Fiveways Inn boosted their hopes of a last four knockout place when making it two group victories in three, running out worthy 4-0 winners over Shere Punjab Wolves.

Fiveways took over top spot, on goal difference from Beacon Lions, as Brad Eveson, John Guest (penalty), Nathan Phillips and Stephen Ball shared the goalscoring limelight.

While Chell Cup holders Dynamo Dudley were edging a 1-0 group success over Cannock United with a solitary first half goal from Allan Parkes, Trysull Tigers moved top of The Sports Shop Kingswinford qualifiers on goal difference, with a third successive win, running out 5-1 victors at a battling Penn Rovers.

After Lewis Edwards had given Penn a second minute lead, the Tigers roared back to claim another crucial group win with three goal Will Spruce taking the plaudits. He was well supported by Tom Hutson who bagged a double.

It was three group victories in four for Dudley Rangers United as they ran out 4-1 winners over visiting FC Premier under-21s.

Although they were pegged back in the first period, Dudley eventually emerged victorious as Callum Cox (two) and Liam Ingram netted. The sole FC Premier response came from Ajami Allen.