Shireway Sports moved level on points with Bradley Stoke at the top of the District League Division IV with a convincing win over promotion rivals Impact Squad.

Stuart Cook gave Shireway the lead midway through the first half and Jack Chami doubled their advantge early in the second period before Thomas Webb pulled one back for Impact Squad in the last five minutes.

Terry Moore, Shireway's assistant manager, said: "After last week's poor performance, I thought we were superb today. Everyone played well and I'm delighted with the performance. We couldn't afford to lose today and the win has put us back in with a shout."

The first chance of the match followed a defensive error from Impact centre-back Steve Pollock, who tried to head the ball back to keeper Richard Grimmer. Unfortunately, with Grimmer advancing towards him, Pollock headed the ball over him, but he retrieved his error by racing back to foil Chami with a last-ditch challenge.

Shireway made the breakthrough from a corner taken by Chami. He whipped it in towards Grimmer, but it was Cook who reacted first and knocked the ball into the net.

The home side could have fallen 2-0 down when good work down the left wing from Chami ended with a cross which was just too high for Moore at the back post.

Shireway were firmly in control and doubled their lead early in the second half. Marcus Vaughan flicked the ball on to Chami, who used his pace to leave two defenders for dead and go one-on-one with Grimmer.

His first effort was was saved by the keeper but the ball rebounded back to Chami, who, despite being on the ground, managed to place his shot between between two Impact defenders who had raced back to cover the goalline.

Shireway deserved their lead and they continued to create chances. Substitute Steve Burden should have scored when a cross went over the last defender. He hit the ball on the half-volley from eight yards but smashed it onto the crossbar.

They were also awarded a penalty after Chami was brought down in the box by Webb. But Burden's spot-kick was hit straight down the middle of goal and Grimmer saved with his legs..

Impact managed to pull a goal back in the closing minutes when Duncan Au produced a good cross from the right wing and Webb, who had made a great run from deep, directed a fine header into the far corner of the net.

Shireway were good value for their win and were the better team. They controlled the game and created more chances. Their back four were superb throughout and deserved to keep a clean sheet.

Defence was the key difference between the teams. Shireway looked solid and composed at the back, whereas Impact looked less comfortable. A key factor was communication, as it appeared that the Shireway defenders talked to each other a lot more and worked better as a unit.

Impact Squad: Richard Grimmer, John Ellis, Steve Pollock, Thomas Webb, Johnjo Burden, Pedro Galhardo, Fran Herrera (John Dixon 61), Byron Nichols, Robert Crockett, Duncan Au, Carl Fowler. Subs not used; Simon Smith.

Shireway: Chris Bright, Sacha Fast, Craig Minchin, Jon Mattinley, Phil Ashpole, Stuart Cook (Paul Cheverton 59), Luke Parsons (Steve Martin 35), Marcus Vaughan, Jack Chami, Marc Cheverton, Terry Moore (Steve Burden 57). Subs not used: Ian Bright.