Blues went into the game knowing that a win would only increase their fixture backlog and a draw would mean extra time ahead of an important league game in less than 72 hours, whilst a loss against your local rivals is never something you really want either.

Manager Lee Casswell and assistant Matt Beeby were both away in Spain to see Stoke City play tomorrow, so Darren Tinson and Kenny Scragg took joint control of the side.

Their options were severely limited with Tinson himself out nursing a groin strain, Aden Johnson still injured, Chris Millar away in Spain, Nathan Bullock ineligible and Ben Nixon not able to get to the ground until 8.30.

Depsite this Blues started the better side with Olly Edwards hitting the crossbar inside two minutes. However with just 14 minutes gone, Leek suffered another blow when Ricky Bridge limped off clutching his hamstring to be replaced by Dan Cope.

After 28 minutes George Ray hit the crossbar from close range and his header from the rebound was cleared off the line. Joe McCormack had little to do in the first half with only a couple of shots fired straight at him to deal with.

Grove came out meaning business in the second half and within a minute Sean Turner had to clear Sam Hall's header off the line. Three minutes later the home side were ahead when Andy Kinsey headed home Danny Griggs cross from close range.

Moments later Blues struck the crossbar for the third time when Edwards cross dropped over Steve Hodgson onto the bar. Three minutes later another Edwards cross found Ray who headed home firmly from ten yards out for the equaliser.

On 66 minutes Grove went ahead with what proved to be the winner. A cross whipped in from the right, appeared to get a faint flick off Matt Haddrell which took it past McCormack and in off the post.

Grove were on top now and substitute Dave Walker should have wrapped it up after 74 minutes but his goalbound effort was superbly cleared off the line by Ray.

Walker missed another chance two minutes from time when he blasted over from just six yards before Leek almost equalised in added time with some almighty scrambles from two corners which the home side just scrambled away.

Team:

1. Joe McCormack
2. Tim Sanders
3. Ricky Bridge (12. Dan Cope, 14)
4. Sean Turner
5. Glyn Mellor
6. George Ray
7. Tim Grice
8. Oliver Edwards (14. Ben Nixon, 80)
9. Matt Haddrell
10. Anthony Danylyk
11. Ashley Woolliscroft

Unused sub: 15. Ollie Mellor

Cards: None

Attendance: 129