ALBION Sports have been inconsistent of late but boss Kulwinder Sandhu masterminded a superb midweek victory as his side brought Cleethorpes down to earth.

Cleethorpes are leaders of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League and firm favourites to win the Premier Division title and the only promotion place to the Evo-Stik League that goes with it.

The Lions are sixth and really have nothing other than pride to play for due to the lack of play-offs in the top tier.

They travelled on Wednesday night to face the Owls, who were on a high after booking a Wembley appearance. Cleethorpes won the second leg of their FA Vase semi-final last Saturday and had been expected to put daylight between them and the chasing pack in the league.

The Owls are top on goal difference only but have four games in hand on second-placed Pickering after their cup run.

Sandhu said: "It was an excellent win for us to score three times and keep a clean sheet and I'm so proud of every single one of our players.

"It had been a bad day and all of the other games in our league were off because of waterlogged pitches but their ground was absolutely fine.

"We had to step up against a very good side but I'm so pleased with our efforts. They had their full side out as well and their management were full of praise for our lads after the game.

"There was no suggestion that they were taking it easy after getting to Wembley and their people said that to us after the game.

"They wished us all the best for the rest of the season and held their hands up. They said we'd deserved the win because we were the better side on the night. They were really fair about it and honest about their own performance.

"For us, Karl Hall was outstanding and he got the assist for two of our goals, but Danny Facey scored two so he did his job. The defenders did their jobs as well, which is what pleased me most because that's where we've been struggling.

"We had young George Clarke in goal again and he played well but he had very little to do apart from taking a few crosses. It was an excellent night for us."