LEADERS DMS FC will be wary of the threat of an upset as they gear up for the finale of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Sunday League Division One title race.

DMS take on mid-table outfit The Empire on Sunday, looking to protect their two-point lead over Humberston at the division's summit.

In their last meeting, DMS triumphed 2-1, but club secretary Paul Knox knows his side will have to be at their best to continue their title push.

"We are expecting a tough one and we will have to be at our best against a well organised and physical side," said Knox.

"Empire can upset anybody on their day and we must not take them lightly.

"We'll have Darren Hanslip missing but otherwise everybody is fully fit and ready to go.

"The season is not over yet with five games left, including two against current champions Birds Eye Athletic.

"We have to beat the best to win the league."

Last weekend, ten-men DMS came from behind to win a close battle against Empire Athletic, 2-1.

Stefan Melin, the division's top scorer, netted his 19th goal of the season from Empire's first real attack of the game.

DMS were reduced to ten men early in the second half.

But they worked hard and showed their stomach for the title chase by hitting back, with goals from Carl Price and Lewis Wilson, to bag the points.

Champions Birds Eye lie third in the standings, 11 points adrift of DMS but with five games in hand, as well as the two games against the leaders.

They take on bottom club Team Red Star this Sunday – but, like DMS, won't be taking another win for granted.

Birds Eye's Phil Graham said: "Red Star have nothing to lose and will be making an effort to climb off the bottom rung.

"We'll be struggling for players this weekend but we should be able to field a team to compete.

"The following weekend will see us take on DMS on what will be the start of a tough run in for both clubs.

"DMS have points in the bag; we have the games in hand."

Birds Eye beat Sealord 3-1 in a scrappy game last time out.

Adam Cox and a brace from Nathan Emson put Athletic 3-0 up, before substitute Matty North pulled one back for Sealord.

AFC Bradley are determined to extend their lead at the top of division two this Sunday.

The leaders take on Police, looking to take advantage of title rivals SW Steelers being without a game.

The pair are tied at the top of the standings, but Bradley have played a game more.

Bradley manager Mike Tuplin, who hopes to have a full turnout of players, said: "We have beaten them (Police) once and hope to beat them again, but they are not an easy side."

On the end-of-season run-in, he added: "All we can do is win our matches and hope Steelers slip up."

Bradley staged a second-half fight-back to beat third-placed Trawl FC 3-1 in their last match.

Adam Johnstone's goal had Trawl 1-0 up at the interval, but man-of-the-match Stuart Turner rallied his side – goals from Luke Martin, Liam Braid and Kyle Skipworth made sure the points went to Bradley.

New signing Luke Borrill notched four goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as Steelers beat Immingham Bluestone 5-2 to keep the pressure on the leaders.

After Bluestone took the lead against the run of play, Borrill equalised when his shot from the edge of the area crept in the far corner.

Steelers went ahead when Borrill raced clear of his marker before turning back on the edge of the box and firing into the far top corner.

The star debutant completed his hat-trick just before the break with a similar shot again finding the target.

Borill got the final touch to put Steelers went 4-1 up in the second half when Bluestone failed to clear a cross into their area.

An own goal caused by a cross striking the shin of Steelers defender Kyle Bensley got Bluestone off the mark.

The Immingham side threatened to grab another goal which would have set up a nervy finish – but Steelers made it 5-2 when Aaron Roberts' shot deflected off a Bluestone defender.

A good advert the division, the match was well-refereed by Alan Beilby.