LITTLETON clinched second place in Division Two of the Midland Combination following Monday's 1-0 win over Leamington Hibernian.

However, it was Saturday's defeat of league leaders Barnt Green that went a long way to securing runners-up spot while also delaying the home side's championship celebrations.

The 3-0 victory was richly deserved and Barnt Green's embarrassment could have been far worse.

The league secretary's visit to present the trophy proved a wasted journey, while the cameraman will only have an away triumph on his film.

Nick Burrows opened the scoring after 15 minutes when he knocked in the loose ball after Simon Brain's volley had been parried.

Adam Moss's super save denied the hosts a swift reply but two further strikes soon after the restart sealed an away success.

Matty Edwards, who was always a thorn in Green's side, supplied the cross from which Brain calmly netted from 18 yards.

And, when Robert Hands was fouled in the penalty area, Darren Reeves made it 3-0 with half-an-hour still to play.

The section leaders tried hard to hit back but found Matt Cotton, Curtis Major and Robbie Harris a solid back line.

The only surprising aspect was that Littleton failed to increase their total as Barnt Green left gaps at the back as they swarmed forward.

Burrows grabbed the all-important two days later after 27 minutes when a pass from major sent Hands scurrying clear and his subsequent centre was neatly converted.

A combination of wayward finishing, bad luck and the agility of Leamington keeper Paul O'Keefe prevented Littleton from adding to their total.

Chris Bate and Brain were the main culprits in front of goal but Littleton survived a late penalty scare to warp up second place.

Chelmsley Town are the visitors for Saturday's final league game ahead of Littleton's bid for a season's knockout double when they face Inkberrow in the Evesham Hospital Cup final at Common Road on May 17.

Pershore Town found themselves without a Premier Division match last Saturday when their scheduled fixture at Alvechurch was called off.

The title chasers are currently upgrading their changing facilities in the hope that they can earn promotion to the Midland Alliance but the lack of hot water and showers prompted the league to call the match off.

Pershore were obviously unhappy with the prospect of making the visit and not having the benefit of the usual standards of changing areas but they will now have home advantage when the game is staged at King George's next Tuesday.

Easter Monday didn't bring a change in fortune when Nigel Russell's side lost 2-0 at Coventry Marconi.

Bolehall Swifts, another side battling for the title alongside Alvechurch and Leamington, are Town's opponents on Saturday.