Lincoln United took one step closer to the league title, beating Heanor Town in the final home game of the season.
The race will go down to the final day with destiny resting in The Whites’ hand, after debutant Josh Batty, Tristan Drummond and skipper Elliott Dye led Scott Hellewell’s men to a 3-1 victory.
Lincoln headed into the game 21 unbeaten, following a draw with second-placed Eastwood CFC last weekend.
A debut Josh Batty goal:
Heanor were seven without defeat, since a loss to Boston Town. They had won six in a row before a draw in their last outing, but found themselves behind after two minutes.
Batty, who was making his debut following a dual registration transfer from Brigg Town, opened his account for United. Evan Payne’s long throw was flicked on by Sean Wright, as Batty nodded the ball beyond the ‘keeper.
It was the 29-year-old’s 38th goal of the campaign, making an instant impact for his new side.
The Brigg striker then had an effort saved five minutes later, prodding the ball into Alfie Roberts’ hands after Jack Varley’s long pass.
End to end at Ashby Avenue:
Jack Steggles was forced into a strong palmed stop moments later, as he sprung to his right to keep out Jamie Sleigh’s effort.
Sleigh was again causing trouble, as a scramble in the penalty area ended with Payne doing some strong defensive work to clear it off the line.
With news trickling through that both Eastwood and Bourne Town were in the lead, Henry Moore replaced Sean Wright after he hobbled off with a leg injury.
Heanor Town strike back:
In the second minute after the re-start, Heanor levelled the game. They echoed Lincoln’s quick start to the first-half, as Sleigh played through Mason Booth-Davis in behind the defence.
Steggles hesitated and opted to stay put instead of rushing out, as Booth-Davis rode one challenge and placed the ball into the bottom corner.
The end to end flow of the first-half had continued, as Lincoln looked to retake their lead.
Batty went close to turning provider, as he salvaged a deep Drummond cross, flicking it onto the head of Jaime Ture. However, Ture could not add to his four goals in his last three games as he headed wide.
Batty had a tame effort held by Roberts as Jack McMenemy tapped the ball to him after strong work from Ture to win it back.
Lincoln United stay in charge of title race:
With 72 minutes on the clock, Drummond produced the goods as his cross went all the way in.
Curling into the far corner, it sent the 683 strong crowd in Ashby Avenue into jubilant celebrations and put The Whites back on top of the table.
Scott Matthews almost gave Lincoln breathing space, as he swung a corner directly off the bar in the 80th minute.
With only a couple of minutes left of the 90, captain Elliott Dye was tripped in the box and referee Craig Forbes pointed to the spot. Dye picked himself back up and slotted his penalty down the middle to put daylight between the two teams.
The result kept Lincoln two points clear of second-placed Eastwood, who hung on to beat relegation-threatened Gresley Rovers, and three ahead of Bourne Town, after their win over Hucknall Town.
United have to win their game or better their results on Easter Monday to secure the UCL Premier Division North title and promotion into step four.