Oakham United ensured Ketton's Peterborough League Premier Division campaign ended in defeat with victory in Tuesday night's Rutland derby at Lonsdale Meadow.

James North's second half goal clinched the bragging rights as Oakham continue to finish the season with a flourish.

They are now unbeaten in seven Premier Division games having last tasted defeat at the end of January against league champions Moulton Harrox.

This victory also moved them back into the top half of the table with one match remaining - at home to Whittlesey Athletic on Saturday, April 27.

Both sides created chances in a lively opening period with Oakham failing to take the more clear-cut of the opportunities.

Cameron Brookes saw an early header athletically clawed away by young Ketton goalkeeper James Hogg before David Bates robbed visting centre-back Cal Parker only to fire wide when through on goal.

Hogg did well to hold a header from Michael Nelson before Ketton came close to breaking the deadlock on a couple of occasions.

Dom Jones curled an effort narrowly wide after Greg Rawlinson had seen a header from a corner headed off the line by Craig Welbourn.

The woodwork then came to Oakham's rescue as Jones turned a low cross goalwards only to see an effort strike the upright.

Oakham responded with Nelson having a couple of good chances to regain his place at the top of the Premier Division goalscoring charts.

The 29-goal joint Oakham player-boss has been leapfrogged in the past fortnight by Moulton Harrox's Joe Townsend who has now netted 31 times.

Nelson was first thwarted by a brave save from Hogg at the striker's feet after he had burst clear before the home marksman fired wide after breaking through as the half finished goalless.

Rawlinson rifled an early shot over for Ketton at the start of the second half before Oakham grabbed the all-important goal eight minutes after the restart.

Kris Kefford made a strong surge down the left and his pinpoint cross picked out North who guided the ball into the bottom corner past the diving Hogg.

Oakham now looked to double their lead and contined to create the better openings.

Sean Roberts' cross from the right was flicked on by North into the path of Bates who blasted his shot over the crossbar.

Hogg then did well again to hold a stinging shot from Bates before Nelson fired over following an assist from busy Oakham substitute Connah Hunt.

With the hosts unable to add to their tally, Ketton looked to take advantage in the dying throes.

They forced a couple of injury-time corners with Parker planting a header wide when well-placed at the back post.

But they were unable to find a late leveller as Oakham's third clean sheet in four games ensured victory for the hosts.

Oakham: Griffen, Welbourn, Kefford, Richmond, Delucis, Bates, Gooding, Roberts, North, Brookes, Nelson. Subs used: Robertson, Hunt, Yussuf.

Ketton: Hogg, Trawford, Marsh, Hood, Parker, Whittle, Smitheringale, Breakell, Gray, Jones, Rawlinson, Sub used: Lovejoy.

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