UPTON Town coped with an under-strength squad as they beat AC Olympia 2-1 in Cheltenham Association Football League Division One.

They moved up to sixth in the table after three league home victories in a row were sealed by a late winner.

Craig Kitchener went close in a bright start before the visitors’ keeper saved well from Tom Morris and Simon Craddock.

It was all one-way traffic in the first-half but Town lacked the finish to numerous good moves.

That was until the 43rd minute when Morris sent Craddock through and he lobbed the keeper from 25 yards.

Olympia started better in the second-half and levelled with their first effort on 55 minutes.

They nearly took the lead on the hour, but keeper Chris Darby saved a powerful close-range effort.

Upton grew into the half and created chances with Nicholas Chance hitting the post and having an effort cleared off the line.

The hosts grabbed the winner in the 88th minute when Ian Merrick capped a man-of-the-match display by flicking in Tom Crump’s cross.

Upton host Bishops Cleeve thirds tomorrow (2pm).

Eighth-placed Hanley Swan’s poor run continued with a close 2-1 home defeat to RSG.

The visitors hit the bar early on before taking the lead from a free-kick.

Hanley fought back and had several chances just before half-time with Ash Bloore and Cathal McTernan going close.

The pressure paid off when McTernan, chasing what looked like a lost cause, crossed for Blake Bishop to score from close range.

The second period saw both teams create chances.

Fourth-placed RSG went ahead midway through the half when the home keeper misjudged a corner.

Hanley welcomed back striker Andy Rogers, who was unlucky not to equalise. They visit leaders Lakeside tomorrow (2pm).

Division Six leaders Malvern Vale beat Apperley Reserves 7-2 through Dan Stowe (3), Aaron Griffiths (3) and Simon Hardiman.

Meanwhile, Ale Madrid raced into a 5-0 half-time lead at Hornets and eventually won 6-1 in McDonald’s Worcester and District League Sunday Division Two.

Luke Badham (3), Dave Jones (2) and Paul Amott netted.

Luan Gashi’s double helped DM Upton to a 4-2 victory at Old Vigornians in Division Four alongside strikes from Matt McIntosh and Toby Boswell.

The Gloster Arms recorded their sixth successive win in Division One 6-3 at St John’s.

Stowe netted four times with Lee Hooper and Rob Cullen also on target.

Jon Mann scored a hat-trick for Callow End in a 4-0 win over The Bell @ Pensax in the Premier Division. David Knapper was also on target.