Robbie Ellis scores a stunning goal as Bourne Town beat Eastwood CFC in the United Counties League

A sensational strike from Robbie Ellis settled a top of the table clash in Bourne Town's favour as they defeated United Counties League Premier Division North pacesetters Eastwood CFC on Saturday.

Ellis rocketed home the winning goal with just 12 minutes of the match remaining to move the second-placed Wakes to within a point of the table-topping Red Badgers with just five matches remaining.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game let alone settling a close contest between two sides who, along with Lincoln United, are locked in a three-team race for the title.

The Bourne skipper powered a first-time strike into the top corner of the visitors' net to send the majority of a superb crowd of 625 home happy.

It lit up a contest where the two championship challengers had slugged it out for supremacy in a match played in tricky conditions with heavy rain falling throughout.

Bourne boss Michael Goode said: "It was an unbelievable result for us.

"I don't think either team were necessarily pleased with the football side of things because there were a lot of loose passes in very tough conditions.

"Both teams cancelled each other out but we're good at keeping clean sheets because we've done it a lot of times this season.

"That isn't just about the back four and goalkeeper but the whole team in getting behind the ball and working hard.

"We said at half-time that we were right in the game and, if we stayed in it, we would get something. We had to improve our crossing and, when we saw the target, we had to shoot.

"That was basically the message and what a way to do it.

"It was brilliant for such a great crowd to see a winning goal like that.

"The type of goal that we scored and the way that the crowd responded really helped us in the last 15 minutes.

"I'm proud of everyone because it was a great squad effort and I was very pleased with all of the boys."

Bourne were already without top scorer Zac Allen while striker Tom Siddons was ruled out after picking up a dead leg in last week's win at AFC Mansfield.

They began the brighter of the two teams but, as the first half wore on, neither side were able to really stamp their authority on proceedings.

Richard Jones headed just wide from a corner for the home side while Ellis flashed a first-time shot past the post.

Brad Marshall - who, along with Jones, were superb at the heart of the Bourne defence - made a crucial block to keep out a Jermaine Hollis strike as the opening period finished goalless.

Will Bird was unable to turn home a Dan Flack cross early in the second half before a rare mix-up in the home defence presented an opening to Aaron O'Connor who shot straight at Bourne goalkeeper Dan Swan.

A teasing cross from Zak Munton was headed away from danger with Bird waiting to pounce before Eunis Lievins did likewise at the other end after substitute Aaron Opoku had created an opening for Eastwood.

It was always going to take something special to settle the match and that spark of magic duly arrived with 12 minutes remaining.

Eastwood had cleared their lines from a Bird cross with the ball falling to Ellis outside the area who smashed a sublime first time strike into the visiting net.

It gave Bourne the perfect fillip as they headed into the latter stages with Jones determined that his side would keep Eastwood at bay.

He produced a brilliant block to get in the way of Craig Westcarr's goalbound effort before making a superb last-ditch tackle after a long ball threatened to catch Bourne out as the Wakes saw out the match to keep themselves firmly in title contention as the final few games of the season approaches.

Manager Goode added: "Like we've said all season, we've just got to look after ourselves.

"You're always going to look at other results and see what's going on but we've had a great March so far after a bad February.

"Anybody can beat anybody in this league though so we've just got to focus on the next game."

Bourne have another home game on Saturday when they entertain Gresley Rovers.