Skipper O'Connor on target yet again as relentless Doughboys stretch lead to 13 points
Runaway leaders Wellingborough Town showed their mettle to hold on while under pressure to secure a 2-1 win over second-placed Sutton Coldfield Town and go 13 points clear at the top of the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division.
The match was the first opportunity for the Doughboys to celebrate the life of club president and stalwart of local football Laurie Owen.
Coupled with a wreath laying in the centre circle, a minute’s applause rung out around the Dog and Duck in honour of the man who helped reform the club back in 2004.
As you would expect of a table topping clash, the opening period was a cagey affair with James McQuilken's wide shot on six minutes the only goal action in the first 20 minutes.
The visitors continued to hassle their hosts in a robust fashion and produced another chance on 41 minutes when Reece Gibson was one-on-one with Dean Snedker but the Wellingborough keeper was able to keep the ball out with his legs.
The Doughboys heeded the warning and took the lead three minutes later when a shot from outside the area was parried by Brad Clarkson in the Sutton goal but only into the path of the evergreen Glenn Walker to tap home from close range.
Remmi Birch thought he had equalised on 52 minutes but cut his celebration short after seeing the raised offside flag.
But five minutes later Sutton Coldfield did bring the scores levels with a similar goal of their own - Romehl Critchlow gratefully receiving the ball to poke home after Snedker had initially saved.
But the Doughboys are a formidable force this season and took the lead again on 62 minutes when Lloyd Bucky's free-kick found skipper Jack O'Connor to nod the ball in.
The Royals continued to cause problems late into the four minutes of stoppage time but Wellingborough saw out the match, acknowledging that the west midlands side had provided were their most difficult test to date.
Jake Stone's side now have the week off before another stern test – a trip to fellow promotion rivals Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.