ALVECHURCH boss Ian Long couldn't believe his luck this week as his Lye Meadow side improved their Midland League title prospects without even kicking a ball.

While top of the table Church had their game against Long Eaton called off, closest rivals Coleshill Town and Lye Town both surprisingly lost.

Long quipped: "We've got this system worked out, that whenever our game is off, we send people to watch our rivals and they always seem to lose.

"The chairman went to watch Shawbury United beat Coleshill, while I had my goalkeeping coach at Lye where they lost to Highgate.

"We trained at Great Barr on Saturday and then went to the pub. But I must admit the mobile phones were red hot as the afternoon progressed."

Church have no fixture this Saturday and must wait until March 18 before their next outing at Coventry United.

Long added: "I will make sure we keep ticking over. I might try and arrange a friendly fixture for Saturday or put some of the players in the under 21s.

"Whatever happens, we will take the positives out of the situation."