DUDLEY Kingswinford stretched their unbeaten run to four games with a vital win over Stockport.

Despite the impressive scoreline this game was another tough encounter and epitomised the competitiveness of National League Two North.

DK had to battle hard to keep in front and only pulled away in the final ten minutes as Stockport finally wilted.

An energetic start from DK saw them take the lead on 11 minutes. Gareth Bown had narrowly missed a second minute penalty but the home side kept up the early pressure and a blockbusting tackle from Stefan Shillingford allowed Duncan Chance to race away and score.

A Bown penalty increased the lead to 10-0 before Stockport’s Richard Geary knocked over a kick of his own to put his side on the scoreboard.

But the visitors then had centre Jamie Anthony sin-binned for failing to release the ball and Bown’s penalty restored the ten point lead.

DK bagged a second try on 32 minutes. Luke Greenwood started a delightful move which was finished by Shillingford to give the hosts a 20-3 lead at the break.

Stockport hit back in the opening minutes of the second period, capitalising on a poor decision by the hosts which allowed prop James Flynn to be driven over for an unconverted try.

Stung into action, DK responded and Shillingford notched his second try to put them back in the driving seat.

But Stockport were not going quietly and managed a second try on 65 minutes. A lineout catch and drive was initially held up by DK but Stockport re-grouped and eventually replacement David Hopkins was driven over with, Mike Barlow converting to leave the score 27-15.

Ultimately two tries in the final ten minutes put the result beyond doubt.

Firstly heavy pressure and several attacking phases on the visitor’s line led to a DK scrum five metres out from which Jon Tideswell was unstoppable as he drove over to secure the bonus point.

Further heavy pressure and quick ball then gave DK an overlap on the left and Jon Higgins, who had come on in the last quarter, judged his pass to perfection to send in Simon Fletcher.