LICHFIELD City missed the chance to close the gap to the play-off spots as they went down 4-0 at home to top of the table Carlton Town.
Two goals in each half were enough to condemn Ivor Green’s men to defeat.
Carlton were quick out of the traps, forcing the home defence into a number of blocks in the opening exchanges.
The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when a corner was nodded home at the back post by Toby Moore.
City keeper Brendon Bunn made two good saves to prevent the lead being doubled, but he could do nothing to keep out the second as another back post header – this time from Lewis Durow – found the net five minutes before the break.
With the strong wind in their favour in the second half, Lichfield tried to find a way back into the game with Jack Edwards firing over after the restart.
Kieran Francis also sent a shot over the top, while Carlton keeper Felix Annan produced a smart stop to deny Callum Griffin.
But the game was effectively killed off on 65 minutes when Ashley Chambers fired past Bunn to make it 3-0.
The scoring was wrapped up in the final minute as Carlton sub Niall Davie steered home his side’s fourth.
There was some solace for Lichfield though as results elsewhere mean they stay within five points of the final play-off berth.
