SATURDAY FOOTBALL '“ Steelmen claim a crucial win while rampant Diamonds go top

All the news from today's football action

Despite the win, the Steelmen remain in the bottom three of the Vanarama National League North but six teams are now separated by just one point in the battle to survive the drop.

After a first half of few chances, it was the Steelmen who took the lead just before the break when Duane Courtney headed home a Greg Mills cross from close-range.

It looked like the Steelmen would hold on to that lead but Shaun Donnellan looked to have earned Worcester a point with a superb strike on 85 minutes.

However, there was a twist to come as home goalkeeper Ethan Ross pushed the ball into his own net from a Kalern Thomas cross as Corby snatched a crucial three points.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds powered to the top of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central with an 8-1 demolition of rock-bottom North Greenford United at the Dog & Duck.

Diamonds started on the front foot with new signing Jon Stevenson testing Josh Kensit early on while Andy Hall’s follow-up was also saved.

Glen Yala shot just wide for the visitors but Diamonds remained in control and the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes when Shawn Richards curled a 20-yard free-kick into the bottom corner.

From there, it was total control for the hosts and Hall doubled the lead when he beat Kensit with a low shot on the right of the area.

Chances continued to come and it was 3-0 five minutes before the break when Tom Lorraine applied the finishing touch after Liam Dolman had flicked on a Richards free-kick.

North Greenford’s task was made harder when Jessy Yoboue was sent off on the hour for a challenge on Lorraine.

And Diamonds made it 4-0 when Hall doubled his tally with a half-volley at the far post.

Lorraine hit the post again after a fine move involving Dolman and Richards but it was five with 14 minutes to go when Stevenson grabbed a deserved goal with a low finish.

Dolman made it 6-0 when he got above Kensit to head home a free-kick and Hall completed his hat-trick late on to make it a magnificent seven.

Sandro Costa nipped in ahead of Matt Finlay to pull one back for the visitors but they were well beaten.