HUMBERSTON boss Mick Woolford donned the goalkeeper's gloves and inspired a comeback from two goals down that has kept his team's title challenge alive and kicking.

Woolford stepped between the sticks with his team two goals down against Cromwell after a disastrous start, and held the fort as his charges blasted back to a 5-2 victory in the Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Sunday League Division One clash.

It was an important win that ensured Humberston, second in the standings, remained just two points adrift of leaders DMS.

They showed character to hit back after a touch of bad luck and a moment of madness saw the team trailing 2-0 within 20 minutes.

A ricochet from a through-ball put Cromwell striker Sean Carlile in on goal and the seasoned campaigner finished with aplomb.

Cromwell doubled their lead after a horror show from the Humberston stopper Scott Drury.

He attempted to spray the ball across his own box but somehow managed to slice the ball – he could only stand and stare in disbelief as the ball squirmed over his own line.

Enter Woolford, who made the difficult decision to stand in and replace his usually-reliable stopper, who was carrying a knock from the previous day's game.

The boss was called into action immediately. Carlile found himself clean through once more but Woolford saved a stinging shot from the wily forward.

That turned the tide and proved the catalyst his team needed.

After pulling a goal back just before the break, Louis Grant pulled the strings with Liam Davis as Humberston came out guns blazing in the second half.

Davis equalised before Grant netted again, scoring direct from a corner, to put Humberston in front.

A well-worked team move was finished clinically by Liam Davis to make it 4-2.

And Jason Flint beat the offside trap and walked the ball home to finish the scoring.

Referee Peter Cook had a good game and his son Nock volunteered to run the line for Cromwell.

Former Grimsby Town winger Jamal Shahin scored twice as The Empire drew 2-2 with Grimsby Cladding.

Danny Freeman, who scored the winner in the final for the Mariners' Youth Alliance Cup-winning team in 2009, netted a hat-trick during Healing's 4-3 victory against Louth Town in division two. Tom Parker was also on target for Healing.

Liam Ladds was on target for Crows Nest as they beat Grimsby Warriors (Nathan Usher) 3-1.

Gareth Chandler netted twice as Police beat bottom club Millfields 2-1.

AFC Wybers moved top of division three after inflicting a first defeat of the season on BBS Couriers.

Ryan Parkinson scored for Keelby United as they drew 1-1 with third-placed Caistor Rovers.

The Cricketers (Pearson, D Morton 3) won 4-1 away to EWS Athletic (Dobbs).

Goals from Hayden Edwards, Ben Powles, Peter Thompson, Colin Winter fired AFC Nitro to a 4-2 win at Buddles II.

Unbeaten Aston Estates stayed top of division four with a 4-1 defeat of Deportivo Empire.

Daniel Beecham, Darren Lambert, James Stewart and Steve Davis the scorers.

But hot on their heels are GSC Nunsthorpe Tavern OB, who beat SK Smugglers AFC 7-2 thanks to impressive five-goal haul from Gary Kirwin and one apiece for Andrew Artley and Ian Ritchie.

Stephen Robinson notched four goals as East Trans beat Newtons Athletic 6-3 away.

FC United of Grimsby failed to capitalise on runaway division five leaders Cleethorpes Town being out of action as they were beaten 1-0 at Crows Nest 2nds, for whom Louie Schofield got the decisive goal.

Healing 2nds (Adam Bunce, Danny Jackson, Stephen McKendry 2, Alistair Mooney) are climbing away from the bottom end of the table. They beat Trotters Traders (Dean White) 5-1.

Clee Community ESL (Sam Brooks, William Hanford) won 2-0 against bottom club Clee Workingmens.

Tower Bucharest (Jake O'Callaghan 3, Jamie Witts 2, Joshua Stark) leapfrogged DFDS Blossom Way when they beat them 7-3.

Division six leaders Willows Community won 6-2 away to AFC Waltham (Jordan Hobbins, Keil Thompson).

RIS FC signalled their intention to fight to the end with a 6-0 victory against Red Star OB, the goals coming from a Jon Blackman hat-trick, a Sean Thompson double, and Josh Tye.

Cromwell Rovers beat Crows Nest 3rds 6-2, Old Lloyds (Steve Newens) drew 1-1 with Solway FC (Daniel Kearns) and West Marsh (Shaun Topliss) drew 1-1 with Caistor Rovers 2nds.

Division seven leaders East Marsh FC (David Giles, Ryan Woolliss) beat Abatis Fire & Security (Lloyd Munson) 2-1 in their top-of-the-table clash.

Schooners (Andrew Lockwood 2, Neil Kirwin, Tom Martin, Luke Tarbatt) went above Abatis after their 5-0 verdict away to Parity Youngs.

Winns FC beat Palacom Systems 7-1. Winns' Mikey Burton, Tom Winn and Tim Dales all justified manager Nigel Winn's decision to select them by repaying him with the goals. Burton returned from a broken foot to notch five goals, while Tom Winn returned to the wing after a broken wrist to notch his first of the season. Veteran Tim Dales completed the scoring despite his aching bones. Andy Scott and Danny Wood were also excellent.

Simon Lancaster scored the Palacom goal.

Great Coates (Ryan Walker 2) won 2-1 away to Electrical Appliances Grimsby FC (Mark Palmer) and Laceby Arms (Daniel Coulling, Matthew Osborne, Lee Scott) beat RER Haulage 3-0.

In division eight, Linden Homes (Sam Thorp, Tyler Wilgaus, Ben Walker) beat Grimsby Colts (Jamie Wright) 3-1 and still top the table.

Several other clubs remain in contention. Clee Motors (Patrick Kershaw 2, Ryan Rice) won 3-1 away to The County while The De Kyme (Luke Niland 3, Adam Hodson, Andrew Lofts, Mark Friel) won 6-0 against Winns 2nds.

The rest of the games ended in draws. Advance Alarms 1-1 with TT Athletic, Grimsby Fireplace Centre (Richard Woodward 2, Scott Watson) 3-3 with AFC Waltham 2nds (Tim Kennedy, Richard Naylor, Steve Wilkins) and Westlands (Chad Taylor, Spencer) 2-2 with Athletico (Oliver Mitchell, Daniel Trott).

Lincs Sunday Cup

Seven Seas won 3-1 against Lincoln Sunday League side Fox and Hounds and therefore play in the final at Bradley Stadium on Sunday 29 April when a bumper gate will be expected. They will meet another Lincoln Sunday League side Welton S & S who beat Tap & Spile 4-2.