Kenilworth Sporting producing a convincing win over fellow promotion hopefuls Inberrow to keep within touching distance of the top of the table.

Another man of the match performance from Mason Platts and a brace from Ryan Murphy saw Sporting pull nine points above yesterday's opponents and extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games in all competitions.

And the result left Sporting manager Martin Ascroft pleased with his side's progress this season.

"It was always going to be a very tough place to go as Inkberrow are a decent side that never give up against anyone," he said.

"We played them on the opening game of the new season and they beat us convincingly, we have obviously strengthened and improved since then and the better side won in my opinion."

Kenilworth made the perfect start when after two minutes a teasing corner was not dealt with by the Inkberrow keeper amd the ball fell to the unmarked Murphy to smash home from close range.

With Inkberrow licking their wounds, Kenilworth smelt blood and dominated the next 20 mins and their great play and pressure paid off when a flick on from Dave Freeman found Platts who ran at the Inkberrow centre half and curled a lovely shot passed the keeper to make it 2-0.

Inkberrow continued to play their game and their main threat was down the left hand side with a tricky, pacy winger that caused the kenilworth defence all types of problems every time he got the ball.

Kenilworth tweaked their shape to deal with the threat and on 48 minutes they took a 3-0 lead.

A free kick from Joe Taylor was flicked onto Murphy who volleyed the ball past the keeper. The Inkberrow defence were all shouting for offside Murphy but the linesman's flag remained by his side and the goal was given.

Inkberrow continued to play and on 78 minutes they pulled a deserved goal back.

But Kenilworth defended well and held on for the three points.

Sporting now sit very much in the mix at the top of the table, but they are not getting ahead of themselves just yet.

"There are nine league games to go with plenty of points to play for still," added Ascroft.

"I'm not on my own with my opinions on this division this year, it's a tough league and now it's getting to the business part of the season it's clear that teams are improving and teams are having their dips in form.

"We are focusing on one game at a time, we travel to Redditch next Saturday where we know we will be in for a tough game against a very organised team."