Lichfield City FC recovered from their FA Cup blues with a three point tonic against Leicester Road.
Jay Hawkins’ men had suffered a heavy defeat against higher league opponents Halesowen Town at the weekend, but jumped into the top three in the Midland Football League Division One with a midweek win at home.
The visitors were always likely to provide a test and an early save from City keeper Adam Jenkins showed Leicester Road would not be in sympathetic mood.
Lichfield eventually began to find their rhythm, with Tom Brown sending an effort just over the bar.
And it was City who broke the deadlock in the first half when Kyle Patterson rifled home from outside the box.
Leicester Road attempted to fight back, with two efforts narrowly clearing Jenkins’ crossbar. They thought they had levelled at one stage, only to see play pulled back for a foul on a home defender.
Jenkins saved well and saw the rebound creep just past the upright as the visitors piled on the pressure but failed to find a leveller before the break.
Lichfield struck a crucial blow in the second half when Brown’s effort was well saved but Patterson was on hand to tuck home the follow-up.
Leicester continued to push and saw an effort strike the crossbar as a frantic pace continued.
Brown’s shot deflected narrowly wide of the post as Lichfield looked for a third goal, before James Taylor sent an effort off target.
Patterson came close to a hat-trick when his clever chip went narrowly over the top.
Jenkins had to be alert to turn a shot past the post as both sides continued to slug it out, but neither team would find the net again, leaving Lichfield to move within three points of league leaders Brocton with a game in hand.