STOCKTON and Codford have crept into a prominent second position in Salisbury and District (Saturday) Premier League as the title race hots up.

They shook off South Newton and Wishord 5-2 on Saturday to sneak into second – shaving the gap down to five points behind the leaders but with two games in hand on them.

After a super start, Stockton themselves 2-0 up on a sticky surface before the visitors’ Adam Payne pulled one back.

Stockton maintained their swift football and notched up two more goals to sail into a 4-1 lead.

Billy Poole pulled one back before half time but a fifth goal from the hosts in the second period saw them pick up the points.

Newton player/manager Keith Darling was left frustrated with his team’s all-round display and says he will be looking for a much-improved performance on Saturday in the semi-final of the Lord Bledisloe Cup against leaders Alderbury.

At the weekend, the division’s table-toppers thrashed lowly Sarum Youth Seniors Reserves 8-0, Chalke Valley slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Cedars FC and Devizes Inn edged a five-goal thriller with Porton Sports.