Harrowby United beat Birstall United in the United Counties League

Harrowby moved within a point of the play-off places after victory over promotion rivals Birstall United on Tuesday night.

The recently returned Elliot King scored both of the Arrows' goals in the United Counties League Division One clash.

The victory saw them leapfrog their Leicestershire visitors in the table and move closer to fifth-placed Dunkirk who went down to a home defeat against table-topping Bourne, writes Mark Fardell.

It also ensured that Jamie McGhee's side bounced back from a disappointing defeat against Radford at the weekend.

They were strengthened by the return of skipper Jack Gurney and Jack Arbon while King came into the starting line-up along with full-back Richard Kankam who has impressed in recent weeks.

However, the Arrows were missing the injured Jon Smith for a match which again attracted a 100-plus crowd to the JRL Brickwork Stadium.

The Arrows started the game well with Liam Harper particularly influential in midfield against a good Birstall side who liked to get the ball down and knock it about.

Harrowby took the lead midway through the first half when King picked the ball up on the halfway line and played in Tom Harris.

His cross found Charlie Hart who centred again for the-on rushing King to time his run perfectly and fire home into the roof of the net.

Birstall then started to get a foothold In the game with both full-backs dangerous when joining the attacks, but Lewis Marsh and Kemal Yeniberitz stood firm though to protect Jake Frestle in the Arrows goal.

The second half kicked off with a determined Birstall the better team and attacking in numbers to try and get back in the game.

As the match wore on, Birstall looked the likelier to score but Frestle in the Harrowby goal made three amazing saves - the best from a free-kick that was heading for the top corner but he managed to tip it over the bar.

On a counter-attack, Harrowby then got the crucial second goal.

Hart challenged for a header and, as the ball fell, Gurney nipped past the full-back to play a delightful cross for the onrushing King to volley home to the relief of everybody in the home crowd.

Birstall's discipline then started to waver with a couple of bookings and a sin bin.

Home boss McGhee made changes as the returning players started tiring as the whole squad was used to see out the game for a great win against a strong Birstall team.

Harrowby now face another tough game on Saturday as the Arrows head to Leicester St Andrews for what is a 2pm kick-off.