TITLE contenders Parkstone Hawks kept pace with the Dorset Mini D Section leaders after a 4-1 win over Lilliput Athletic.

Hawks, who are level on points with Grange Lions, raced into a 2-0 half-time lead with goals from Jamie Stone and Reece Day.

Lilliput reduced the deficit shortly after the break with a goal from Matt Hannah.

But Reece, who was voted man of the match, completed his double to restore the hosts’ advantage. And the points were made safe when James Stocker netted a fourth.

“I think Grange will be hard to catch,” admitted Hawks boss Lee Ricketts. “They have a game in hand and look the strongest team in our division. Runners-up would represent a good season.”

Athletic manager Rupert Potier, meanwhile, was pleased with his team’s effort, considering they could only muster six players.

“We lost to them 8-0 earlier in the season, so this was a big improvement for us,” explained Potier. “The lads battled well and had a great chance to equalise after the break.”

Under-10 Dorset Mini League matches are seven-a-side.

Parkstone Hawks: Robert Stockwell, Edward Dimascio, Reece Day, Kieran Evans, Jamie Stone, Matthew Ford, James Stocker.

Lilliput Athletic: Boris Shaw, Oscar Shaw, Matt Hannah, Benji Edwards, Harley Tyszkiewicz, Sam Sheppard.